August, 2006

Case 185:
A worm measuring approximately 11 mm in length was sent to CDC for identification by a laboratory in the Southeastern United States.  The following images were obtained by placing the worm on a 1" × 3" glass slide and gently "floating" a 24 × 30 mm glass coverslip on top of it with water.  Figure A shows the anterior end of the worm.  Figures B and C (a digital zoom of B) show the posterior end of the worm.  All images were captured at 100× magnification.  Based on the images, identification at the genus level, as well as determination of whether the worm is male or female, is possible.  What is your diagnosis?   Based on what criteria?

A	B

C

Click here for the answer to Case 185.

Case 186:
A man went to a local hospital with abdominal pain and weight loss.  He reported that he frequently travels to South America and had previously been diagnosed with ascariasis, although recent stool specimens were negative.  The laboratory saw the objects in Figures A, B, and C in the patient's stool samples.  The objects measured 10 to 15 µm.  Figure A was taken at 400× magnification from wet mount stained with iodine.  Figures B and C were taken at 1000× magnification from a trichrome stained slide.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A	B

C

Acknowledgement: This case was kindly contributed by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.

Click here for the answer to Case 186.

Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving.  On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.