Ascaris lumbricoides

Fertilized and unfertilized Ascaris lumbricoides eggs are passed in stool of the infected host. Fertilized eggs are rounded and have a thick shell with an external mammillated layer that is often stained brown by bile. In some cases, the outer layer is absent (known as decorticated eggs). Fertile eggs range from 45 to 75 m in length. Unfertilized eggs are elongated and larger than fertile eggs (up to 90 m in length). Their shell is thinner and their mammillated layer is more variable, either with large protuberances or practically none. Unfertile eggs contain mainly a mass of refractile granules. Complete development of the larva requires 18 days under favorable conditions (moist, warm, shaded soil). However, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides may continue to develop and are infectious even when preserved in formalin. Top to bottom: Unfertilized egg of A. lumbricoides Unfertilized, decorticated egg of A. lumbricoides A. lumbricoides decorticated, fertile eggs A. lumbricoides decorticated, fertile egg with advanced cleavage

Trichuris trichiura

Trichuris trichiura eggs are 50-55 micrometers by 20-25 micrometers. They are football-shaped, thick-shelled and possess a pair of polar plugs at each end. Eggs are passed unembryonated in stool. Top to bottom: Egg of T. trichiura

Hookworm

The eggs of Ancylostoma and Necator cannot be differentiated microscopically. The eggs are thin-shelled, colorless and measure 60-75 m by 35-40 m. Top to bottom: Hookworm egg

Capillaria philippinensis (bonus)

These unembryonated eggs measure 35 to 45 m in length by 20-25 m in width. They have two inconspicuous polar prominences and a striated shell. Top to bottom: Capillaria philippinensis egg Capillaria philippinensis egg

Paragonimus westermani

Paragonimus westermani eggs range from 80 to 120 m long by 45 to 70 m wide. They are yellow-brown, ovoid or elongate, with a thick shell, and often asymmetrical with one end slightly flattened. At the large end, the operculum is clearly visible. The opposite (abopercular) end is thickened. The eggs are unembryonated when passed in sputum or feces. Top to bottom: Egg of P. westermani Egg of P. westermani

Echinostoma ilocanum

Eggs of Echinostoma spp. have a wide size range depending on the species and may range from 80-135 m long by 55-80 m wide. They have an inconspicuous operculum and the abopercular end is often thickened. The larger eggs are very similar to Fasciola and Fasciolopsis. Eggs are passed unembryonated in feces. Top to bottom: Egg of Echinostoma sp.

Fasciola sp.

Eggs of Fasciola hepatica are broadly ellipsoidal, operculated and measure 130150 m long by 60-90 m wide. The eggs are unembryonated when passed in feces. The abopercular end of the eggs of F. hepatica often has a roughened or irregular area. Top to bottom: Egg of F. hepatica Egg of F. hepatica

Schistosoma japonicum

The eggs of Schistosoma japonicum are large and more rounded than other species, measuring 70-100 m long by 55-64 m wide. The spine on S. japonicum eggs is smaller and less conspicuous than other species. Eggs are shed in stool. Top to bottom: Egg of S. japonicum Egg of S. japonicum

Heterophyid eggs (bonus)

Small, elongated or slightly ovoidal. Operculum. Slight "knob" at posterior end. Yellow brown. Embryonated. Contains mature miracidium. Resembles Clonorchis egg but with less distinct shoulders. Operculum is broader than in Clonorchis. Top to bottom: Heterophyes heterophyes egg Heterophyes heterophyes egg

Hymenolepis nana

These eggs are oval and smaller than those of H. diminuta, with a size range of 30 to 50 m. On the inner membrane are two poles, from which 4-8 polar filaments spread out between the two membranes. The oncosphere has six hooks. Top to bottom: Egg of H. nana Egg of H. nana

Hymenolepis diminuta

These eggs are round or slightly oval, size 70 - 85 m X 60 - 80 m, with a striated outer membrane and a thin inner membrane. The space between the membranes is smooth or faintly granular. The oncosphere has six hooks. There are no polar filaments extending into the space between the oncosphere and the outer shell. Top to bottom: Egg of H. diminuta Egg of H. diminuta Egg of H. diminuta

Diphyllobothrium latum (bonus)

Diphyllobothrium spp. eggs are oval or ellipsoidal and range in size from 55 to 75 m by 40 to 50 m. There is an operculum at one end that can be inconspicuous, and at the opposite (abopercular) end is a small knob that can be barely discernible. The eggs are passed in the stool unembryonated. Top to bottom: Egg of D. latum (Note the knob at the abopercular end) Egg of D. latum Egg of D. latum (The opercula are open)

Taenia sp.

The eggs of Taenia spp. are indistinguishable from each other, as well as from other members of the Taeniidae. The eggs measure 30-35 micrometers in diameter and are radially-striated. The internal oncosphere contains six refractile hooks. Top to bottom: Taenia spp. egg (Four hooks can easily be seen) Taenia spp. egg

Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosoma mansoni eggs are large (114 to 180 m long by 45-70 m wide) and have a characteristic shape, with a prominent lateral spine near the posterior end. The anterior end is tapered and slightly curved. When the eggs are excreted in stool, they contain a mature miracidium. Top to bottom: Egg of S. mansoni Egg of S. mansoni Egg of S. mansoni

Schistosoma haematobium

The eggs of Schistosoma haematobium are large (110-170 m long by 40-70 m wide) and bear a conspicuous terminal spine. Eggs contain a mature miracidium when shed in urine. Top to bottom: Egg of S. haematobium Egg of S. haematobium

Differentiating eggs: The ova of Capillaria are rougher in texture compared to the smooth, yellowish eggs of Trichuris. Capillaria ova often have one straighter side and the bipolar plugs on Trichuris resemble screws of a light bulb.