Introduction to Diagnostic Medical Parasitology
Wuchereria bancrofti
Microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti
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The microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti have several distinguishing characteristics. They are sheathed and their size varies depending on the medium used for staining: measuring 240—300 µm in stained blood smears and 275—320 µm in 2% formalin.
The body of these microfilariae is gently curved, and their tails taper to a point. Within the microfilaria's body, the nuclear column, which consists of the cells that make up the microfilaria, is loosely packed. As a result, individual cells can be visualized separately, and they do not extend all the way to the tip of the tail.
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A Sheath
B Tip of tail without nuclei
C Last nucleus