Pictures of Parasites

Ancylostoma duodendal (human hookworm)

Adults of hookworm infections will lay eggs like the one above in the intestinal tract of patients where they suck their blood intensively to the point of serious anemia and weakness.

Ancylostoma duodendal (human hookworm)

Adults of hookworm infections will lay eggs like the one above in the intestinal tract of patients where they suck their blood intensively to the point of serious anemia and weakness.

Ascaris (human roundworm) Ascaris (human roundworm)

Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) egg Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) egg

Balantidium coli

Balantidium coli is a common parasite in the intestine of swine where it is harmless. Human infection with the same species upon cross contamination will cause severe intestinal symptoms.

Balantidium coli

Balantidium coli is a common parasite in the intestine of swine where it is harmless. Human infection with the same species upon cross contamination will cause severe intestinal symptoms.

Blastocystis hominis Blastocystis hominis

Blastocystis hominis dividing Blastocystis hominis dividing

Charcot-Leyden crystals

Charcot-Leyden crystals are by-products of the breakdown of certain human white blood cells as a result of their destruction by certain parasites such as Entamoeba

histolytica . Their recovery in fecal samples thus indicatesthe presence of certain parasites

Charcot-Leyden crystals

Charcot-Leyden crystals are by-products of the breakdown of certain human white blood cells as a result of their destruction by certain parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica . Their recovery in fecal samples thus indicatesthe presence of certain parasites

Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke) Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke)

Cryptosporidum parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum is perhaps the most common new parasitic disease in the USA. Infection occurs from drinkingwater contaminated with calf fecal sources. The tap water ofnearly 1/5 of all U.S. homes include infective stages of

cryptosporidium as well as Giardia. Symptoms may be present in intestinal as well as extra-intestinal sites and may include fatigue and allergies.

Cryptosporidum parvum

Cryptosporidium parvum is perhaps the most common new parasitic disease in the USA. Infection occurs from drinkingwater contaminated with calf fecal sources. The tap water ofnearly 1/5 of all U.S. homes include infective stages of cryptosporidium as well as Giardia. Symptoms may be present in intestinal as well as extra-intestinal sites and may include fatigue and allergies.

Cyclospora cayetensis Cyclospora cayetensis

Diphyllobothrium latum (tapeworm) egg Diphyllobothrium latum (tapeworm) egg

Entamoeba coli cyst Entamoeba coli cyst

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites cause intestinal pain, diarrhea / constipation (Montezuma's revenge), immune depression, and skin disorders. It may also cause liver,

brain or other tissue pathology. It is transmitted through direct or indirect fecal-oral contamination.

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites cause intestinal pain, diarrhea / constipation (Montezuma's revenge), immune depression, and skin disorders. It may also cause liver, brain or other tissue pathology. It is transmitted through direct or indirect fecal-oral contamination.

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)

These pinworm eggs are the diagnostic stages for serious infections that afflict mostly children and the elderly in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)

These pinworm eggs are the diagnostic stages for serious infections that afflict mostly children and the elderly in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

Fasciola hepatica

Infection with the human liver fluke Fasciola hepatica occurs upon feeding on aquatic plants contaminated with juvenile stages but diagnosed in fecal samples in the egg stage (shown).

Fasciola hepatica

Infection with the human liver fluke Fasciola hepatica occurs upon feeding on aquatic plants contaminated with juvenile stages but diagnosed in fecal samples in the egg stage (shown).

Giardia Lamblia

Giardia Lamblia cysts cause severe gastro-intestinal symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and

malabsorption of food and medication alike. Drinking infected stream water usually causes infection.

Giardia Lamblia

Giardia Lamblia cysts cause severe gastro-intestinal symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and malabsorption of food and medication alike. Drinking infected stream water usually causes infection.

Heavy infection of Blastocyctis hominis Heavy infection of Blastocyctis hominis

Hymenolepsis diminuta (rodent tapeworm)

This is the egg of the rodent tapeworm, Hymenolepsis diminuta, which can also infect the small intestine of humans. Infections in humans are acquired by accidentally uingesting infected beetles in various grain products.

Hymenolepsis diminuta (rodent tapeworm)

This is the egg of the rodent tapeworm, Hymenolepsis diminuta, which can also infect the small intestine of humans. Infections in humans are acquired by accidentally uingesting infected beetles in various grain products.

Hymenolepsis nana (dwarf tapeworm) Hymenolepsis nana (dwarf tapeworm)

Iodamoeba butschilii heavy infection Iodamoeba butschilii heavy infection

P westernmani (Human lung fluke) P westernmani (Human lung fluke)

Paragonimus westernmani Paragonimus westernmani

Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm) larva

This threadworm, Strongyloides, is diagnosed in cases where infection is acquired by the penetration of the larva stages

into the bare skin of people exposed to soiled environment contaminated with fecal matter from infected cases.

Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm) larva

This threadworm, Strongyloides, is diagnosed in cases where infection is acquired by the penetration of the larva stagesinto the bare skin of people exposed to soiled environment contaminated with fecal matter from infected cases.

Taenia solium

The recovery of eggs of the human/swine tapeworm Taenia solium indicates the presence of the ten-foot long adults inthe intestine. When the immature cysts are present in other organ systems, they often invade the brain and sense organs causing neurocysticerocosis (damage to the central nervous system).

Taenia solium

The recovery of eggs of the human/swine tapeworm Taenia solium indicates the presence of the ten-foot long adults inthe intestine. When the immature cysts are present in other organ systems, they often invade the brain and sense organs causing neurocysticerocosis (damage to the central nervous system).

Tapeworm egg Tapeworm egg

Trichuris trichura (whipworm)

The egg of the whipworm Trichuris trichura which can cause serious pathology, extensive bleeding, and damage to nerve elements in the lower intestine.

Trichuris trichura (whipworm)

The egg of the whipworm Trichuris trichura which can cause serious pathology, extensive bleeding, and damage to nerve elements in the lower intestine.

Bean Sprouts

Bean sprouts are undigested plant parts that are indicators of diet preferences and can be confused with small roundworms.

Bean Sprouts

Bean sprouts are undigested plant parts that are indicators of diet preferences and can be confused with small roundworms.

Citrus particles

These citrus parts that remain undigested are often confusedwith parasitic worms.

Citrus particles

These citrus parts that remain undigested are often confusedwith parasitic worms.

Columnar epithelial cells

Columnar epithelial cells line the upper intestine and are the bio-markers of damge to that area.  The damage can be due to biological or toxic factors.

Columnar epithelial cells

Columnar epithelial cells line the upper intestine and are the bio-markers of damge to that area.  The damage can be due to biological or toxic factors.

Crystals

These crystals are present in patients who are heavily medicated with antibiotics.

Crystals

These crystals are present in patients who are heavily medicated with antibiotics.

Fatty acid crystal

Fatty acid crystals are found when the fatty acids are not broken down by pancreatic lipases,  This is usually seen in patients with gall bladder problems and pancreatic dysfunction.

Fatty acid crystal

Fatty acid crystals are found when the fatty acids are not broken down by pancreatic lipases,  This is usually seen in patients with gall bladder problems and pancreatic dysfunction.

Large number of white blood cells

The presence of WBC's indicate an attempt to contain the operation of infective processes or punishing toxilogical factors.  We often see granulocytes and sometyimes lymphocytes.  HIV patients often have a high number of WBC'sand low levels of benefical bacteria.

Large number of white blood cells

The presence of WBC's indicate an attempt to contain the operation of infective processes or punishing toxilogical factors.  We often see granulocytes and sometyimes lymphocytes.  HIV patients often have a high number of WBC'sand low levels of benefical bacteria.

Mite egg

Mite eggs are another artifact confused as roundworm eggs, and are present by accidental ingestion from dust mite sources in the home environment.

Mite egg

Mite eggs are another artifact confused as roundworm eggs, and are present by accidental ingestion from dust mite sources in the home environment.

Morel Mushroom spore

The Morel mushroom spores look like many roundworm eggs.

Morel Mushroom spore

The Morel mushroom spores look like many roundworm eggs.

Mucoid tubes

Mucoid tubes are a natural secretion of the intestinal lining that protects it from comprimisong factors such as parasites, toxins, infavorable PH levels, etc. They are often confused as  roundworms.

Mucoid tubes

Mucoid tubes are a natural secretion of the intestinal lining that protects it from comprimisong factors such as parasites, toxins, infavorable PH levels, etc. They are often confused as  roundworms.

Normal bacilli (good bacteria)

Normal bacilli are the rod shaped good bacteria that includethe Bifidus and Lactobacillus forms and are important for balanced GI function.

Normal bacilli (good bacteria)

Normal bacilli are the rod shaped good bacteria that includethe Bifidus and Lactobacillus forms and are important for balanced GI function.

Plant fibers

Undigested plant fibers are indicative of poor digestion andthe need for digestive enzymes.

Plant fibers

Undigested plant fibers are indicative of poor digestion andthe need for digestive enzymes.

Plant parasite

These are the eggs of a parasitic nematode that normally infects plants but may be accidentally ingested by humans.

Plant parasite

These are the eggs of a parasitic nematode that normally infects plants but may be accidentally ingested by humans.

Pollen grain

Pollen grains from various pollen carrying plants are readily identifiable.  While they have no immediate

pathological signifigance, they are still regarded as a factor in host allergies.

Pollen grain

Pollen grains from various pollen carrying plants are readily identifiable.  While they have no immediate pathological signifigance, they are still regarded as a factor in host allergies.

Pollen grain

This pollen grain of broccoli is an indicator of food preferences and a marker for pollen allergies.

Pollen grain

This pollen grain of broccoli is an indicator of food preferences and a marker for pollen allergies.

RBC's

The presence of RBC's indicates bleeding in the digestive tract.  Many factors can cause bleeding including the activefeeding of parasites such as hookworms like Ancylostoma duodenale.

RBC's

The presence of RBC's indicates bleeding in the digestive tract.  Many factors can cause bleeding including the activefeeding of parasites such as hookworms like Ancylostoma duodenale.

Squamos epithelial cells

Squamos epithelial cells line the lower intestine.  Their presence in significant numbers indicate damage to the intestinal area from where they are shed.

Squamos epithelial cells

Squamos epithelial cells line the lower intestine.  Their presence in significant numbers indicate damage to the intestinal area from where they are shed.

Starch

Strch granules indicates that carbohydrates are not being digested properly and calls for the use of digestive enzymesthat include amylase.

Starch

Strch granules indicates that carbohydrates are not being digested properly and calls for the use of digestive enzymesthat include amylase.

Tomato skin

Tomato skins are are one of the many undigested plant food items that we identify in submitted fecal specimens and are often confused as tapeworms.

Tomato skin

Tomato skins are are one of the many undigested plant food items that we identify in submitted fecal specimens and are often confused as tapeworms.

Undigested plant hair

Undigested plant hairs are one of the many plant parts that are seen in fecal specimens that look like small roundworms.  Misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment.

Undigested plant hair

Undigested plant hairs are one of the many plant parts that are seen in fecal specimens that look like small roundworms.  Misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment.

Undigested potatoes

The improper digestion of starches such as undigested potatoes indicates the lack of amaylases and the need for digestive enzymes.

Undigested potatoes

The improper digestion of starches such as undigested potatoes indicates the lack of amaylases and the need for digestive enzymes.

Blastoschizomyces (fungi) Blastoschizomyces (fungi)

Candida albicans (in culture form) Candida albicans (in culture form)

Candida in lungs Candida in lungs

Conidium of the airborne fungus Alternaria Conidium of the airborne fungus Alternaria

Cryptococcus laurentis (fungi)

Cryptococcus is one of the many different kinds of fungi that can be found in fecal specimens of infected patients.

Cryptococcus laurentis (fungi)

Cryptococcus is one of the many different kinds of fungi that can be found in fecal specimens of infected patients.

Heavy Candida infection Heavy Candida infection

Heavy infection of common yeast

The common yeast is often found in human fecal specimens, especially men.  It is a common fungus that can become pathogenic when found in high numbers or dividing.

Heavy infection of common yeast

The common yeast is often found in human fecal specimens, especially men.  It is a common fungus that can become pathogenic when found in high numbers or dividing.

Heavy mucus Heavy mucus

More mucus More mucus

Mucus Mucus

Very heavy mucus Very heavy mucus

Corynosoma 11

This is the genital opening of the female acanthocephalan parasitising the Caspian Sea.

Corynosoma 11

This is the genital opening of the female acanthocephalan parasitising the Caspian Sea.

Corynosoma 18

The broken probosicis hook of the seal acanthocephalan showing the two layered structure of hooks.

Corynosoma 18

The broken probosicis hook of the seal acanthocephalan showing the two layered structure of hooks.

Corynosoma 19

The disected intestine of a Caspian seal showing the attachment of the spiny headed worm Corynosoma.

Corynosoma 19

The disected intestine of a Caspian seal showing the attachment of the spiny headed worm Corynosoma.

Corynosoma 2

The proboscis and neck of Corynosoma strumosom.

Corynosoma 2

The proboscis and neck of Corynosoma strumosom.

Corynosoma 20

The proboscis of Corynosoma stromosum penetrating the gut ofa seal

caught in the Caspian Sea in Northern Iran.

Corynosoma 20

The proboscis of Corynosoma stromosum penetrating the gut ofa seal

caught in the Caspian Sea in Northern Iran.

Corynosoma 3

The pattern of distribution of trunk spines characteristic of the Caspian Sea acanthocephalan Corynsoma strumosom.

Corynosoma 3

The pattern of distribution of trunk spines characteristic of the Caspian Sea acanthocephalan Corynsoma strumosom.

Corynosoma 4

The posterior end of a female Corynosoma strumosom from a Caspian seal showing the body spines that are used for adhesion of the intestinal wall of the host.

Corynosoma 4

The posterior end of a female Corynosoma strumosom from a Caspian seal showing the body spines that are used for adhesion of the intestinal wall of the host.

Corynosoma 5

The bald anterior end of a proboscis of Corynosoma characteristic of the species from seals.

Corynosoma 5

The bald anterior end of a proboscis of Corynosoma characteristic of the species from seals.

Corynosoma 9

A high magnification of one of the trunk spines characteristic of the Caspian seal acanthocephalan.

Corynosoma 9

A high magnification of one of the trunk spines characteristic of the Caspian seal acanthocephalan.

Corynosoma strumosom (parasite of seals)

Proboscis of Corynosoma strumosom, a spiny headed worm that parasites seals in the Caspian Sea.

Corynosoma strumosom (parasite of seals)

Proboscis of Corynosoma strumosom, a spiny headed worm tha