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[Hymenolepis diminuta] [Hymenolepis nana]

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

A	B

A, B:  Eggs of H. nana in an unstained wet mount.  Note the presence of hooks in the oncosphere and polar filaments within the space between the oncosphere and outer shell.

C	D

C:  Egg of H. nana in an unstained wet mount.
D:  Egg of H. nana in an unstained formalin ethyl acetate (FEA) wet mount.  In this image, four of the hooks in the oncosphere are clearly visible.  Image courtesy of the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory.

E	F

E, F:  Eggs of H. nana in an unstained wet mount.  In these two images, the polar filaments in the space between the oncosphere and outer shell are clearly visible.