Diagnostic features

(pay regard to the location of microfilariae in the host and their periodicity)

- size and morphology
- location in the host
- absence/ presence of a sheath
- posterior end (shape and arrangement of nuclei in the tip of the tail)
- anterior end (“cephalic space”, location of nuclei)

1 Wuchereria bancrofti

Sheath, no nuclei in the tip of the tail

2 Brugia malayi
Sheath, 2 distinct nuclei in the tip of the tail

3 Loa loa
Sheath, nuclei extending to the tip of the tail

4 Onchocerca volvulus (skin)
No sheath, no nuclei in the tip of the tail

5 Mansonella perstans
No sheath, nuclei extending to the tip of the tail

6 Mansonella ozzardi
No sheath, no nuclei in the tip of the tail

7 Mansonella streptocerca (skin)
No sheath, nuclei extending to the tip of the hooked tail