Diagnostic Findings [Last Modified: ]
[Capillaria (=Eucoleus) aerophila] [Capillaria (=Calodium) hepatica] [Capillaria (=Paracapillaria) philippinensis]
Causal Agent Life Cycle Geographic Distribution Clinical Features Laboratory Diagnosis Treatment

Microscopy

Capillaria philippinensis egg Capillaria philippinensis egg
A B

A, B:  Capillaria philippinensis eggs.  These unembryonated eggs measure 35 to 45 µm in length by 20-25 µm in width.  They have two inconspicuous polar prominences and a striated shell.

Capillaria hepatica egg Capillaria hepatica egg
C D

C, D:  Capillaria hepatica eggs in liver, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).  Eggs of C. hepatica are 50-70 µm long by 30-35 µm wide and are unembryonated when seen in human stool (an indication of a spurious infection).

Capillaria philippinensis adult Capillaria philippinensis adult cross-section
E F

E:  Longitudinal section of a gravid adult female C. philippinensis in an intestinal biopsy specimen, stained with H&E.  Notice the row of eggs present.
F:  Cross section of a gravid adult female C. philippinensis in an intestinal biopsy specimen, stained with H&E.  Shown here are a bacillary band (blue arrow), the intestine (red arrow) and the uterus containing an egg in cross-section (black arrow).

Capillaria hepatica adult cross-section Capillaria hepatica adult cross-section
G H

G:  Cross section of a male C. hepatica in liver tissue, stained with H&E.  Note the presence of the intestine (blue arrow) and the coiled sections of the testes (black arrows).
H:  Cross section of C. hepatica in liver tissue, stained with H&E.  Note the presence of the intestine (blue arrow) and bacillary bands (black arrows).

 
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