Sunday, June 3, 2018

Answer to Case 496

Answer: Trichostrongylus sp. egg
Congratulations to everyone who wrote in with the correct answer. Although this egg looks like those of the hookworms, Oesophagostomum spp., Ternidens spp., and Strongyloides stercoralis (latter only rarely seen in stool), the larger size (85 micrometers long) and tapered end points us towards Trichostrongylus.

This diagnosis is also supported by the history of camel exposure, as Trichostrongylus is primarily a parasite of ruminants. As Blaine mentioned, I should have posted this case on a Wednesday for 'hump' day!

William Sears also mentioned that the presence of eggs with well-developed larva indicates that the specimen likely sat for some time before being examined since the eggs are passed in human stool in an unembryonated state. Thanks again to Idzi Potters for donating this fascinating case.

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