Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites

The following images are sections of a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric biopsy. No further history is available. (CLICK ON IMAGES ...

Answer: Worm causing anisakiasis; either Pseudoterranova decipiens or Contracaecum spp. This diagnosis is based on: 1. The size of the wo...

The following objects were seen in cross-section in an appendix from a 14 year old girl with abdominal pain. Identification? (CLICK ON IMAG...

Answer: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) cross-sections This is a classic histologic appearance of E. vermicularis in cross-section. The ...

The following objects were seen in unstained fluid aspirated from a liver cyst and sent to microbiology. The beautiful images were taken by...

Answer: Echinococcus spp. protoscoleces Shown here are multiple protoscoleces (larval tapeworms) of Echinococcus spp. The most common spec...

The following were found in a vacant ski lodge which had not been occupied in several months. Identification? (CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE) ...

Answer: Bat bugs Congratulations to all of my readers who got this right! I thought this might be a tricky case since bat bugs share many ...

The following sections are from a skin biopsy of an itchy flank rash. Identification? (H&E, 40x original magnification) H&E...

Answer: Scabies caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei . This mite burrows into the superficial layers of the epidermis and de...