Morphologically Altered Eggs of Trichuris Trichiura Following Treatment with Mebendazole

As early as 1 day following the administration of mebendazole to 14 patients for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infections, the eggs of this worm were observed to be abnormal in size, shape and color. Some of the morphological changes are: increased size, the presence of a membrane, distorted configuration by elongation, distorted shape of the polar plugs, abnormal number of polar plugs, decrease in size, and abnormal yolk material which is refractive to bile staining and development to the larval stage. Some abnormal eggs with normal-appearing yolk material developed to motile larvae.