Parasites and Health [Last Modified: ]
Cercarial Dermatitis

Causal Agent Life Cycle Geographic Distribution Clinical Features Laboratory Diagnosis Treatment

Microscopy
Below two images showing one of the types of cercaria (Austrobilharzia variglandis) which can cause cercarial dermatitis.  Diagnostic characteristics include the following:

  • Forked-tail
  • Presence of "eye-spots"
Forked-tail Presence of "eye-spots"

Proper identification of cercariae which may cause cercarial dermatitis is best left to investigators with a good background in trematode morphology as well as malacology.

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