Sunday, November 25, 2012

Case of the Week 234

A large "worm" (several cm in length) was passed in the stool of a 4-year old boy.  Unfortunately, rather than being submitted intact to the microbiology laboratory, it was sent to surgical pathology where slides containing serial cross-sections were produced.  Below are representative H&E images taken at 40 and 100 times original magnification:










Identification?
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Looks like a cross section of Ascaris, which is consistent with the size "Several cm"

    Lee

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  2. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    This seems like a series of cross sections of a nematode, as suggested by Lee "Ascaris, which is consistent with the size". The internal anatomy has two large purple organs which resemble the uteri and the central digestive tube. The cuticle,the epidermis and the longitudinal muscle is best seen in picture 7. That's my best guess.

    Florida fan

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 27, 2012 at 4:36 AM

    I would like to say, Pathology stay away from our worms :)
    Hans

    ReplyDelete
  4. MicrobeManNovember 27, 2012 at 7:48 AM

    Hmmm. It sort of looks like a cross-section of an earthworm - well, possibly a partially-digested one. I can't wait to find out what it is - great case!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    Ascaris spp

    ReplyDelete