Success! In Clinical Laboratory Science – Parasitology Practice Test

An egg with four cells in the developing embryo within a thin-shelled egg is most consistent with which parasite?

Strongyloides stercoralis Trichuris trichiura Hookworm Enterobius vermicularis

Correct Answer:

Hookworm

Explanation:

Eggs that are thin-shelled and contain a developing embryo at the four-cell stage point to hookworm. Hookworm eggs in stool are oval with a delicate, translucent shell, and early embryonation often shows a 4-cell cleavage before the larva forms. This distinguishes them from other common intestinal nematode eggs: Trichuris eggs have thick shells with polar plugs; Enterobius eggs are thin-walled and typically unembryonated when first detected and have a flattened side; Strongyloides usually presents larvae (rhabditiform) rather than a clearly visible four-cell embryo inside an egg. So the described egg pattern best matches hookworm.

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to Success! In Clinical Laboratory Science – Parasitology Practice Test for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions