from tissues

Filariae, Toxocara spp., Filariae

Mansonella perstans D, N, B ozzardi D, N, B SB

Loa loa: œdème fugace de Calabar, eye D, B

Onchocerca volvulus: river blindness SB bancrofti, malayi: lymphatic filariae, N, B

D: day – N: night – B: – SB: skin biopsy Filariae

Mansonella perstans Africa, , Surinam South America Mansonella streptocerca West Africa

Loa loa West and Central Africa Africa, South America

Wuchereria bancrofti Africa, South America, Asia Asia Microfilariae that can be seen in peripheral blood in Congo-Kinshasa, according to J. Sonnet and J. Vandepitte.

Mansonella perstans Loa loa

Periodicity day/night day night

Vector flies mosquitoes ( spp.) (Chrysops spp.) (, , …)

Size < 200 µm > 250 (230) µm > 250 µm

Tail terminal nuclei terminal nuclei no terminal nuclei

Sheath no yes (not stained by yes (slightly stained by Giemsa) Giemsa) Mansonella perstans

Small whitout a sheath (approximately 200 x 4 to 5 µm) with a blunt tail filled with nuclei (Thin film stained with Giemsa). Mansonella perstans and Loa loa

Loa loa is distinctly longer and thicker than M. perstans. In the thick film the microfilaria of Loa loa show irregular coiling. The sheath does not stain with Giemsa (Thick film stained with Giemsa). Courtesy CDC Mansonella perstans and Loa loa

The complete microfilaria with its elegant and complex convolutions is that of M. perstans. It is smaller and thinner than the incomplete Loa loa microfilaria. The somatic nuclei of M. perstans are visible as far as the rounded caudal end of the microfilaria (Thick film stained with Giemsa). Loa loa

One or two herniae are typical for the species. The last caudal nucleus is terminal (Thick film stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa). Loa loa

The sheath is seen here in the anterior and in the caudal end. The sheath does not stain with Giemsa and stains poorly with other stains. The tail is tapering gradually and there are nuclei till the end (Thick film stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa). Loa loa

The sheath is seen here in the anterior and in the caudal end. The sheath stains poorly. The tail is tapering gradually and there are nuclei till the end (Stained thick film). Loa loa The sheath is seen here at the caudal end. The sheath stains poorly. The tail is tapering gradually and there are nuclei till the end (Stained thick film). Loa loa Adult male removed from the eye. The male filaria is smaller (up to 3,4 cm) than the female (5-7 cm) (Unstained).

cmcm Loa loa

Tail with spicule from an adult male removed from the eye (Unstained). Mansonella streptocerca

Slender microfilaria with rounded tip curved to form a hook (Skin scarification stained with Giemsa). Mansonella streptocerca

Single row of distinctive somatic nuclei in the rounded caudal end of the microfilaria. The latter is curved like a bishop’s staff (Skin scarification stained with Giemsa). Mansonella ozzardi

In thick blood film. Irregular coiling. The last caudal nucleus is subterminal and pointed. The caudal cuticula is also pointed (). Onchocerca volvulus

Extensively coiled microfilaria. The tail end is pointed and does not contain nuclei (Skin scarification stained with Giemsa). Wuchereria bancrofti

Graceful curves of the microfilaria in the thick film. The sheath is clearly visible, especially at the cephalic end (Thick film stained by Carazzi’s method). Wuchereria bancrofti

Cephalic end with sheath and caudal end of the microfilaria. No nuclei in the pointed caudal end (Thick film stained by Carazzi’s method). Wuchereria bancrofti

Cephalic end and tail with sheath of the microfilaria. No nuclei in the pointed caudal end (Thin film stained with May-Grünwald-Giemsa). Wuchereria bancrofti Caudal end with sheath of the microfilaria. No nuclei in the pointed caudal end (Thin film stained by May- Grünwald-Giemsa). Wuchereria bancrofti Caudal end of the microfilaria. No nuclei in the pointed caudal end (Thin film stained by May- Grünwald-Giemsa). Wuchereria bancrofti Caudal end of the microfilaria. No nuclei in the pointed caudal end (Thin film stained by May- Grünwald-Giemsa). Wuchereria bancrofti

•Taylor M.J. et al. 2005. The Lancet 365:2116-2121 Macrofilaricidal activity of on W. bancrofti. Based on the depletion of the vital bacteria. Brugia malayi

Coiled microfilaria in thick blood film. The nuclei are more or less distinct. The last caudal nucleus is clearly separated from the others and extends into the tip of the tail. The sheath is well developed and stained red (Giemsa stain). Pseudomicrofilaria (Helicospora?) Blood accidentally contaminated with a fungus. The diameter is much smaller than for microfilariae. Note the numerous transverse septa (May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain). Global programme to eliminate lymphatic • “Elephantiasis” • Resolution WHA50.29 in 1997 • 120 million patients in 83 countries • More than 1 billion (20 % of world population) are at risk of acquiring the infection • 90% Wuchereria bancrofti, most of the remainder Brugia malayi • 2-drug combinations (DEC + or + albendazole) Courtesy WHO migrans

• Larva migrans cutanea: larbish, creeping eruption, caused by of (cat, …) , Ancylostoma brasiliense, … • Larva migrans visceralis: high with variable symptomatology (general, eye invasion), due to , diagnosis by serology, … •… Toxocara canis Several adult worms, smaller than A. lumbricoides.

1 cm Dirofilaria immitis

• Canine heart worm: (filaria) of dog in right ventricle and pulmonary artery. • Transmitted via bite (, Anopheles, Culex). • Pseudo-tumor of the lung in man.

Hemmersbach-Miller M. Et al. 2005. Presse Med., 34:109-110. Trichinella spiralis

Larva in muscle tissue following biopsy . Trichinella spiralis

Courtesy Gentilini M. & Duflo B. Free living nematodes

Free living nematodes are very common (Unstained).