PARAGONIMIASIS Paragonimus westermani lung fluke A miracidium hatching

PARAGONIMIASIS & Paragonimus westermani (lung fluke)

A miracidium hatching out of a Paragonimus egg. The egg takes about 3 weeks in water to embryonate. Interference contrast.

A young paragonimus hatching out of a metacercaria. This usually takes place in the duodenum of the animal host. Interference contrast.

Charcot Leyden crystal. These diamond shaped crystals are often seen in amoebic dysentery faeces and may also be present in other parasitic infections. They are absent in bacillary dysentery. Interference contrast.

A cross-section of Paragonimus sp in lungs. The tegument is covered with spines which appear reddish in colour. The vitellaria are dark bodies scattered along the periphery. One of the intestinal caeca is also visible.