Korean J Pathol.  2010 Jun;44(3):341-342.

Enterobius vermicularis Ova in a Vaginal Smear

• Choi SK
• Kim EK
• Hong YO
• Lee HJ
• Lee WM
• Ko SK
• Joo JE

Abstract

Enterobius vermicularis is one of the most common parasites found in the intestine of humans. The gravid female worms migrate outside the anus to release eggs on the perianal skin. Rarely, they migrate to the genitourinary tract in female patients. We present a case in which pinworm eggs were found in a cervicovaginal smear of a 37-year-old woman. The eggs were elongated oval shaped and flattened on one side. The thick, double contoured birefringent shell stained bright yellow or orange. Some coarsely granular embryos or curved larvae were enclosed in the refractile shell. Empty eggs or wrinkled shells with clumped granular material were also present. Although pinworm eggs are easily identified because of their characteristic morphologic appearance, careful screening is needed due to the frequent masking by inflammatory cells.

Keyword

Enterobius; Ovum; Vaginal smears

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anal Canal
Citrus sinensis
Eggs
Embryonic Structures
Enterobius
Female
Humans
Intestines
Larva
Masks
Mass Screening
Ovum
Parasites
Skin
Vaginal Smears