Identifying the Type of Schistosomiasis By the Appearance of its Egg

 

Species:

(1) Schistosoma haematobium

(2) Schistosoma intercalatum

(3) Schistosoma japonicum

(3) Schistosoma mansoni

(5) Schistosoma mekongi

 

Parameters:

(1) shape

(2) length in microns

(3) type and location of spine

Species	Shape	Length in Microns	Spine
S. mekongi	round	66	lateral, small
S. japonicum	round	100	lateral, small
S. mansoni	ovoid	140	lateral, prominent
S. haematobium	ovoid	150	terminal, prominent
S. intercalatum	ovoid	176	terminal, prominent

 

where:

• The diameter of the egg for each species is around 60 microns.

• All of the eggs except for S. haematobium are acid fast positive on the Ziehl-Neelson stain.

 

Species passed in stool:

(1) Schistosoma intercalatum

(2) Schistosoma japonicum

(3) Schistosoma mansoni

(4) Schistosoma mekongi

 

Species passed in urine:

(1) Schistosoma haematobium

(2) Schistosoma intercalatum