Sunday Parasite Challenge

Can you identify these particles in human faeces?

Case: 44 years old woman from Wisconsin, USA has lost weight and suffering fatigue lately, but no other symptoms. Basic blood count and infection markers were within normal limits.Stool sample was taken and the findings are in the image. The lenght of the particles is around 60 micrometers.

Correct answer: Diphyllobothrium species eggs (broad fish tapeworm). There are other species of Diphyllobothrium (e.g. D. pacificum, D. ursi) that can also infect humans and they are essentially indistinguishable by morphologically alone. Therefore, it is best to simply identify these as "Diphyllobothrium sp."

 Please read all comments and suggestions from my FB page.

Source: Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites
Image credits: Bobbi Pritt