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[Brugia malayi] [Brugia timori] [Dirofilaria spp.] [Loa loa] [Mansonella ozzardi] [Mansonella perstans] [Mansonella streptocerca] [Onchocerca volvulus] [Wuchereria bancrofti]

The microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti are sheathed and measure 240-230 µm in stained blood smears and 275-320 µm in 2% formalin.  They have a gently curved body, and a tail that is tapered to a point.  The nuclear column (the cells that constitute the body of the microfilaria) is loosely packed; the cells can be visualized individually and do not extend to the tip of the tail.  Microfilariae circulate in the blood.

A	B

A, B:  Microfilariae of W. bancrofti in thick blood smears stained with Giemsa.  Images courtesy of the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory.

C	D

C: Microfilaria of W. bancrofti in a thick blood smear, stained with Giemsa.
D: Close-up of the anterior end of the worm in Figure C.

E

E: Close-up of the posterior end of the worm in Figure C.