Multiple choice

The entire life cycle of most of the parasitic worms lasts four to six weeks. The life cycle of which among the following worms includes parasitic parthenogenetic females that are capable of hatching the eggs either internally or externally?

  1. Camallanid

  2. Rhabditid

  3. Strongyle

  4. Oxyurid

  5. Ascarid

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rhabditid ‘threadworms’ have tiny bodies which become embedded in the host mucosa. Their life-cycle includes parasitic parthenogenetic females producing eggs which may hatch internally (leading to auto-infection) or externally (leading to transmission of infection or formation of free-living male and female adults). Super-infections by Strongyloides may cause severe haemorrhagic enteritis in humans.