Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites

This lovely little family was found on a 20 year old male. Thanks to Florida Fan for donating this case!  Identification?

Answer: Pthirus pubis ('crab' lice) As noted by Arthur, "two females are apparent by the presence of a bifurcate posterior, w...

The following structures were found in stool.  They measure approximately 60 micrometers in greatest dimension. Identification?

Answer: pinworm eggs - with a newly emerging larva. Kudos to Felicity in my lab for catching this worm in action! Note the range of eggs s...

Several objects were removed from a foot wound of a 70 year old woman. Representative photos of one of these objects is shown below. Identif...

Answer: Musca domestica (common housefly) larva Unlike obligate parasites such as Dermatobia hominis, Musca domestica is a cause of accide...

This week's case was generously donated by Dr. Zhenwen Zhou, MD, from the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Guangzhou Women and Child...

Answer: Taenia species tapeworm segment. The segment shown is notable for the fact that it is still moving (!) as well as the fact that th...

Happy Halloween dear readers! Like last year, this week's case highlights some of the costumes and goodies from my annual Halloween Pa...

Answer: Lots of Halloween goodies. As Arthur notes, the Entamoeba ladies include Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar. There are also E. mo...