Disease: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Sleeping sickness Habitat in human: Blood (but not inside red blood cells) Diagnosis of infection: Microscopic examination of blood to detect trypomastigotes Morphological Features of Trypomastigote Size: 14 – 33 mm in length Long and spindle shaped; some short and stumpy Nucleus is centrally located Undulating membrane along the body […]

Disease: Bancroftian Filariasis Habitat in human: Lymphatic vessels and glands Diagnosis of infection: Microscopic examination of blood for microfilariae Microfilariae are the infective stage to mosquito vector Morphological Features of Microfilariae Size: 250-300 µm Sheathed; but hardly visible as rather delicate and close fitting Body is gently curved; tail is tapered to a point Cephalic […]

Disease: Ascariasis Habitat in human: Small intestine Diagnosis of infection: Microscopic examination of faeces to detect eggs Morphological Features Comparatively large and plump largest nematode parasite of human Colour: Creamy white or pink Cuticle has fine circular striations Mouth is surrounded by three lips – one dorsal and two ventrolateral Oesophagus is club-shaped without posterior […]

Single copulatory spicule Copulatory spicule is in a retractile sheath covered with spines

Disease: Trichuriasis Habitat in human: Large intestine – specially caecum and colon Diagnosis of infection: Microscopic examination of faeces to detect eggs Morphological Features Colour: Greyish white worm, often with a pink tint on posterior part Shape: resemble a whip – thread-like along most of body, with a thicker short portion at posterior end Mouth […]

Disease: Enterobiasis Habitat in human: Large intestine – caecum and colon Diagnosis of infection: Microscopic examination of perianal scraping to detect eggs Morphological Features Colour: Yellowish white A cuticle surrounds the body Posterior end is pointed like a pin in female Three muscular lips around the mouth Has wing-like expansions on each side of head […]

Posterior end of male is expanded to a copulatory bursa Has two spicules that are fused at their distal ends Has two broad lateral lobes and a smaller dorsal lobe Fleshy rays support both lateral and dorsal lobes Arrangement of rays within bursa is a characteristic for each species N. americanus: Dorsal ray branches at […]

Disease: Hookworm disease Habitat in human: Small intestine Diagnosis of infection: Microscopic examination of faeces to detect eggs Morphological Features N. americanus is shorter and more slender than A. duodenale Shape – cylindrical Colour: Creamy white or grey or reddish brown (when blood is ingested) Cuticle surround the body – finely striated transversely Anterior end […]