Parasitology

Morphology of Helminth Eggs in Stool Microscopy

Morphological criteria for identifying helminth eggs and protozoan cysts: Ascaris, Fasciola, Opisthorchis, Taenia, Necator, and Trichuris in microscopy.

Microphotographs of helminth eggs and Entamoeba sp. cysts in stool samples
Microphotographs of helminth eggs and Entamoeba sp. cysts in stool samples

Collection of parasite eggs.

Necator americanus — Egg of an intestinal helminth (roundworm) causing hookworm infection. Characteristically oval egg.

Opisthorchis viverrini — Egg of a liver fluke causing opisthorchiasis. Small, oval, with a characteristic “tail” at one end.

Heterophyes heterophyes — Egg of another type of fluke, parasitic in the intestine. Similar to Opisthorchis.

Fasciola hepatica — Egg of the liver fluke. Larger in size, oval, with a distinctly prominent operculum at one end.

Ascaris lumbricoides — Egg of Ascaris, a large roundworm causing ascariasis. Characterized by a rough surface and a thick shell.

Trichuris trichiura — Small in size.

Taenia sp. — Egg of beef or pork tapeworm (e.g., Taenia solium or Taenia saginata).

Entamoeba sp. — Protozoan parasite