An immigrant from central Africa is exhibiting transient subcutaneous swelling in the arm. A blood smear revealed a sheathed microfilaria with a single row of nuclei present in the posterior of the parasite. The most likely identification is:
A) Brugia malayi
B) Loa loa
C) Onchocerca volvulus
D) Wuchereria bancrofti

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Microfilariae are identified by examining their morphologic features. The presence or absence of structures such as sheaths and nuclei in the posterior end of the parasite are characteristics used to identify microfilaria. Loa loa is identified when a sheathed organism with a single row of nuclei extending to the tip of the tail of the parasite is observed.

An Immigrant from Central Africa Is Exhibiting Transient Subcutaneous Swelling