HematologyOutlines - Atlas
Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Infectious-Microfilaria*


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Additional Image 1

› Microscopic Features:
  • Very large parasites (as compared to other parasites such as malaria, babesia, or even Trypanosoma)
  • Worm-like appearance
  • Extracellular parasites
› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:
  • PB: None
  • BM: None
  • LN: None
› May Resemble:
  • Trypanosoma
› Differential Diagnoses:

Other parasites
Artifact (cloth, etc.)

› Classic Immunophenotype:
  • N/A
› Cartoon Image:



› Misc:
  • Must scan the smear on very low power to make sure it's not missed Extracellular parasite