Capillaria Philippinensis

Capillaria philippinensis

By: Ronalyn Asantor

Capillariasis is a parasitic disease in humans caused by two different species of capillarids: Capillaria hepatica and Capillaria philippinensis. C. hepatica is transferred through the fecal matter of infected animals and can lead to hepatitis. C. philippinensis is transferred through ingesting infected small freshwater fish and can lead to diarrhea and emaciation.

History & Structure

• Ova
• Size: 36-45 um x 20 um
• Peanut shaped
• Double walled
• Striated
• Has Bipolar Plugs

• Adult
• Delicate tiny worms
• Male have chitinized spicules

• Capillaria philippinensis or Pudoc worm
• Discovered in 1963 in Pudoc West Village
• Transmission occurs primarily through eating undercooked fish

Typically, unembryonated, thick-shelled eggs are passed in the human stool image

life cycle

In addition to the unembryonated, shelled eggs which pass into the environment, the females can also produce eggs lacking shells (possessing only a vitelline membrane)

It become embryonated in the external environment in 5—10 days

after ingestion by freshwater fish, larvae hatch, penetrate the intestine, and migrate to the tissues

which become embryonated within the female’s uterus or in the intestine. The released larvae can re-invade the intestinal mucosa and cause internal autoinfection

Ingestion of raw or undercooked fish results in infection of the human host.

The adults of Capillaria philippinensis are very small (males: 2.3 to 3.2mm; females: 2.5 to 4.3 mm) and reside in the human small intestine, where they burrow in the mucosa

This process may lead to hyperinfection (a massive number of adult worms).

Centers for DIsease Control and Prevention