ASCARIASIS ( Ascaris lumbricoides) Ascaris lumbricoides together with hookworms,Trichuris trichiura And Strongyloides stercoralisnepidemiologically grouped as “worms that are transmitted through soil”('soil transmitted helminthiases'). To become an infective stage, these worms generally need to grow in the soil for some time (except Strongyloides stercoraliswhich can occur in a direct cycle, namely filariform larvae are formed while still in the rectum, and in certain circumstances hookworms, for example in patients who experience constipation, filariform larvae can form while still in the rectum). To confirm the diagnosis of ascariasis, a laboratory examination of feces in water can be carried out. Apart from that, eggsAscarisIt can also be clearly seen in routine stool examinations to track protozoa, such as examination of stool in physiological salt solution, Y-KY or eosin. Egg AscarisApart from being found from feces, it can also be found from contaminated soil, water or food (eg vegetables), using the concentration method. Apart from eggs, adult wormsAscariscan also be found exiting through the anus, or in certain (rare) circumstances such as 'erratic migration'found to come out through the nose or mouth, or found in the appendix. Therefore, apart from knowing the morphology of the eggs, it is also necessary to know the morphology of the adult worms. Egg: 1. Fertile Egg with Albuminoid Protein Sheath: - Egg-shaped, wide, length ± 60 – 75 μm, width ± 40 – 50 μm; - The outermost wall contains a protein/albuminoid sheath with a rough, bumpy/bumpy outer surface, colored by bile pigment so that it is yellowish brown to dark brown;On the inside there is a thick, transparent, colorless egg wall (=hyaline sheath), on the deeper side there is a thin vitelline membrane which is difficult to see on the preparation. - Inside the egg there are round-shaped germ cells, and because the space formed by the egg wall is oval and its contents, the germ cells are round, a crescent-shaped cavity (semilunar slit) is formed at both ends. 2. Fertile Eggs without Protein Sheath: like a fertile egg with a protein coat, only missing/without the protein coat, so the outer surface of the egg looks smooth. 3. Infertile Eggs: - long ellipsoid shape, larger and more elongated than fertile eggs, more variable in size, length ± 60 – 90 μ, width ± 40 – 60 μ. - the egg wall is thin, winding, thin, the surface is bumpy (compare with the wall of a fertile egg), may or may not be covered by a protein coat - contains a disorganized mass in the form of highly refractile granules of various sizes. Adult Worms: - This worm is the largest nematode parasite in humans. - cylindrical in shape, white or reddish yellow in color, the anterior end is blunt while the posterior end is more tapered - on each side there are longitudinal lines ('lateral lines') white along the body of the worm;the body is covered with cuticle with transverse stripes; - at the anterior end there are 3 labia/lips, one mediodorsal, a pair ventrolaterally, and in the middle, between the three lips there is a small triangular buccal cavity. - male worms measuring ± 10 – 31 cm long; diameter ± 2 – 4 mm, posterior end curved ventrally with a pair of cylindrical copulatory spicules and simple shape located in a pouch; - female worms: larger than male worms, measuring 20 – 35 cm long, Ø 3 – 6 mm, vulva located in the middle ventral, ± in the anterior third of the body.