Common Urine Parasites
Parasites that may be found in urinary sediments include Trichomonas vaginalis, Enterobius vermicularis, and Schistosoma haematobium. Parasites and parasitic ova are usually present in urine sediment as a result of vaginal or fecal contamination.
Schistosoma haematobium
Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) is caused by some species of blood trematodes (flukes) in the genus Schistosoma.
Schistosoma hematobium is the main type of schistosoma we find in urine
it is characterized by lateral spine and oval shape.
Trichmonas vaginalis
Trichomonas vaginalis, a flagellate, is the most common pathogenic protozoan of humans in industrialized countries.
- Trichomonas vaginalis resides in the female lower genital tract and the male urethra and prostate , where it replicates by binary fission
- The parasite does not appear to have a cyst form, and does not survive well in the external environment.
- Trichomonas vaginalis is transmitted among humans, its only known host, primarily by sexual intercourse
Enterobius vermicularis
The nematode (roundworm) Enterobius vermicularis is widely known as the human pinworm due to the female’s long, pointed tail. In some areas the common names “seatworm” and “threadworm” are used (the latter of which is sometimes also used to refer to Strongyloides stercoralis)
