CLASS NEMATODA

Nematodes are commonly called roundworms. They belong to the Phylum Aschelminthes (Nematoda). The adult forms are non-
segmented, cylindrical, tapered at both ends, and covered by a tough protective covering or cuticle. Their sexes are separate, most of the
time the females are generally larger than the males. The facultative (free-living) parasites among the nematodes are the hookworms. Stages
in the life cycle of nematodes include 1.) egg (most seen in feces in the laboratory), 2.) larva (Larvae form of hookworm: Filariform and
Rhabditiform), which undergoes several molts, and 3.) adult (very few). Most of the eggs have colors such as yellow, golden brown, and brown
because they pass through the feces.
Infective Stage (what causes infection); Diagnostic Stage (what you find in feces either un/fertilized);
Intermediate Host (part of life cycle); Morphology (how you describe, how they can be distinguished)
Scarlett S. Hernandezs notes
Scientific Name Common Habitat Morphology Stages Host/Mode of
Name Transmission
Ascaris Giant Small Egg- fertilized eggs has an outer coarsely Infective Stage Intermediate Host
lumbricoides Intestinal Intestine mammilated albuminous covering - Fertilized egg - none
Roundwor (corticated), if not found it is called
m decorticated Diagnostic Stage Mode of Transmission
- Fertilized/ Unfertilized - Ingestion; water
Adult- worms have three lips (tri-radiate egg and food (ex. plays in
lips); Females pointed end, males curved soil, vegetables, flies)
(to hold the female during copulation)
posterior end
Enterobius Pinworm or Lower ileum Egg- D-shaped, one side flattened, the Infective Stage Intermediate Host
vermicularis Seatworm and cecum other convex; transparent(colorless) shell - Embryonated egg - none
(Large
Intestine) Adult- have cuticular alar expansions at Diagnostic Stage Mode of Transmission
anterior end (cephalic alae) [prominent - Unembryonated/ - Inhalation, airborne,
posterior; esophageal bulb?]. Males Embryonated egg autoinfection (self
(posterior end coiled) are rarely seen. infection) [ex.
Females (posterior end pointed) die after dusting off beddings,
deposition (bursts), suicidal. doorknobs]
Trichuris trichiura Whipworm Cecum Egg- lemon shaped or football shaped, Infective Stage Intermediate Host
(Large prominent bipolar plugs; thick walled - Embryonated egg - none
Intestine)
Adult- Female (pointed end) larger than Diagnostic Stage Mode of Transmission
male (coiled end). Female has bluntly - Unembryonated egg - Ingestion
rounded (Egg)
Hookworms Small Egg- bluntly rounded ends, thin Infective Stage Intermediate Host
Intestine transparent hyaline shell (for both - Filariform larva - none
hookworms)
-Ancylostoma Old World Diagnostic Stage Mode of Transmission
duodenale Hookworm Buccal cavity (mouth): 2 pairs of ventral - Egg - Skin Penetration
teeth (feet) ~bloodstream
-Necator New World to lungs
americanus Hookworm
Buccal cavity: 2 pairs of semilunar cutting
plates
Capillaria Pudoc Small Egg- peanut shaped with striated shell Infective Stage Intermediate Host
philippinesis Worm Intestine and flattened bipolar plugs - Larva - fish

Adult- tiny nematode. Thin filamentous Diagnostic Stage Mode of Transmission

anterior, slightly thicker and shorter - Egg - Ingestion
posterior end
Reservoir Host
- bird
Filarial worms Lymph Very hard to distinguish the two Infective Stage Vector
-Brugia malayi Malayan vessels and - L3 Larva - Mansonia
Filarial Lymph (mosquito)
Worm glands Diagnostic Stage
- Microfilariae Vector
-Wuchereria Bancrofts - Anopheles, Aedes
bancrofti Filarial
Worm
Scientific Name Pathology
Ascaris lumbricoides *Tissue reaction due to
invading larvae
*Allergic symptoms
*In CBC, eosinophils may rise
*Intestinal irritation due to
adult worm
*Other complications due to
extraintestinal migration
~To lungs- allergic
manifestations such as
asthma or symptoms similar
to pneumonia or sometimes
they call it Loefflers
syndrome
~Serious/fatal effects
when there is erratic
migration (sometimes occur
if wrong dosage of medicine
is given, goes to other places
and goes out in other
Intermediate Host
- mosquito
Mode of Transmission
- Vector (mosquito)
or blood transfusion
Treatment & Laboratory Diagnosis Notes
Prevention
*Albendazole, *Specimen of choice: Most prevalent
Mebendazole, Pyrantel stool or feces Life cycle begins when eggs are
pamoate, Combantrin *Stool examination or passed out in feces, have
*Sanitary disposal of Direct Fecal Smear contact with soil (a good
human feces, health environment for them to fertilize;
education, mass good temp. and moisture)
chemotherapy From unfertilized it fertilizes
more in the soil, embryo will split
into 2 then 8 until larva is
formed. Larva does not go out of
the egg (Infective stage) where it
can be ingested by man.
Digestive System (acidic)
- egg will molt and larva comes
out
- larva penetrates walls of
intestine to:
*blood stream to lungs
(migration)
*esophagus to trachea to lungs
 openings such as ears, etc.)
Enterobius *Perianal itching/pruritus ani-
vermicularis can lead to secondary
bacterial infection
*Vaginitis, endometriosis,
salpingitis
*Insomnia, poor appetite,
weight loss, irritability,
grinding of teeth, abdominal
pain
Trichuris trichiura *Petechial hemorrhages (may
see blood streaks in feces)
*Rectal Prolapse due to great
amount of parasites in
cecum (heavy), muscle tone
weakens
*No larval migration (no
extraintestinal migration)
Hookworms *ground itch due to
-then larva goes back to lungs to
blood stream to intestine, and
develop into an adult (male and
female can copulate then lay
eggs and be seen in feces)
*Pyrantel pamoate *Grahams Scotch Eggs are seen in perianal folds
*Personal cleanliness, adhesive tape swab or (sides of anal opening), not
cutting of fingernails, perianal cellulose tape passed out in feces
handwashing, infected swab (early morning, Females go out of large intestine
person should sleep before shower) [usually especially at night, deposits eggs
alone, beddings should used in chn] in periphery of anal opening
be boiled, chemotherapy ~glass slide, scotch Egg matures within 4-6 hours,
of whole family tape, tongue depressor when person wakes up egg is
~perianal opening in fertilized (infective)
your face, stick scotch
tape in perianal folds,
stick on glass slide
*Albendazole *Direct Fecal Smear Has stock and dash(?) Whole
*Sanitary disposal of part of whip is embedded
human feces, health entirely in cecum
education, mass Eggs pass feces, if it comes in
chemotherapy, washing contact with soil within 72 hours,
of vegetables, it will embryonate.
intermittent Could go into the digestive
handwashing system then the egg will molt,
larva comes out. Then develops
into an adult.
No lung migration, directly to
small intestine then to cecum
*Wear shoes *Direct Fecal Smear Can only be distinguished if adult
-Ancylostoma penetration
duodenale *Lung migration- bronchitis,
-Necator americanus pneumonitis or Loefflers
syndrome
*Chronic- microcytic
hypochromic iron deficiency
anemia because buccal
cavity penetrates into small
intestine (may get blood)
*Hypoalbuminemia (low in
albumin)
Capillaria *Abdominal pains, gurgling
philippinesis stomach (borborygmus),
diarrhea
*Severe protein losing,
malabsorption of fats (oily
stool), low electrolyte level,
high level of IgE
*Microulcers in epithelium
(through buccal cavity)
Eggs pass in feces, egg
embryonates in the soil. Eggs
hatch in the soil (larva comes
out).
First stage is Rhabditiform larva
(free-living). Can take its
nutrients from outside sources
such as soil.
It will transform/mature into a
Filariform larva (parasitic), will
not live without a host. Life cycle
continues in the host (develops
into an adult in the small
intestine)
If ingested, life cycle will not
continue.
*Electrolyte replacement *Direct Fecal Smear Discovered in a barrio named
and high protein diet *Duodenal Aspiration Pudoc in Ilocos Region (in the
*Mebendazole Philippines)
*Discouraging people in Discovered among the fishermen
endemic areas from who are fond of eating raw fish
eating raw fish Eggs passed out in feces, likes
*Good sanitary practice fresh water and not soil
Egg develops into a fertilized egg
and hatch (larva comes out),
larva is eaten by fish and goes
into the flesh of the fish
If fish is raw/not fully cooked and
eaten by man, man will be

Filarial worms *Lymphadenitis, swelling and
-Brugia malayi redness of arms and legs
-Wuchereria (usually lower extremities)
bancrofti *Elephantiasis, hydrocele (for
male, enlargement of
scrotum)
~usually adults block the
lymphatics thats why
swelling occurs
infected
Adult develops in man
Bird can eat the fish and the
feces of bird can contain eggs
(goes to water)
Person will not be infected if eats
bird
*Diethylcarbamazine *Specimen: blood Blood dwelling nematodes
citrate (DEC) *Microscopic finding of Microfilariae (not adult) in blood
*Use mosquito nets the characteristic stream
*If you go to area microfilariae in blood Adult found in lymphatics
prevalent with (8pm-4am) Adult in lymphatics and produce
elephantiasis, they *Knotts method microfilariae (which is found in
require prophylaxis (filtration), antigen blood)
detecting methods- If you have microfilariae and get
ELISA, PCR, bitten by a mosquito, it could go
ultrasonography to the mosquito vector, from
there it will undergo further
development
It will transform into an L1
larvae/Stage 1 larva to Stage 2
then Stage 3/L3 larva (infective)
Then if another person is bitten
by the mosquito, the L3 larva will
be passed to him and he will get
infected (adult develops in the
man) then the cycle goes on
again