Mansonella streptocerca is not as well documented as the other species mentioned. Clinically, the infections appear to be asymptomatic. Although dermatitis and hyperpigmented lesions may occur, subcutaneous nodules do not occur.
Streptocerciasis is the name of the disease or infection caused by this parasite. Other synonyms include:
- Human filariasis
- Dipetalonema streptocerca
- Tetrapetalonema streptocerca
Of note: M. streptocerca is seen in skin snips. The microfilarial form is quite slender when compared with other microfilariae.
Summary of the General Morphologic Characteristics of the Microfilariae:
| Filarial Agent | Length | Width | Nuclear Column |
| Mansonella streptocerca | Small (<200 μm in length)
| Small species tend to be about half the width of a red blood cell (RBC)
| Compact (dense) |
| Headspace | Tail | Sheath on Giemsa |
| Relatively short (sometimes difficult to discern due to slenderness) | Hooked tail, nuclei all the way to the tip | Never present |
40. CDC/daSilva, Moser. Image #3404. "This is an illustration depicting the life cycle of the nematode Mansonella streptocerca, one of the causal agents of a form of filariasis known as mansonellosis." PHIL public domain. Created 2002. Accessed April 6, 2023. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=3404 41. CDC. Plate 5: "Mansonella streptocerca microfilariae from skin snips in hematoxylin in (e,g,h) and Giemsa stains (f). M. streptocerca is readily distinguished from O. volvulus by its very slender shape and 'crooked' tail (e, f, h). Note that the column of nuclei starts in the anterior extremity as a single row of 10-12 (or more) nuclei (g) and extends to the end of the tail (e,f,h)." CDC.gov. Resources: Bench aids for the diagnosis of filarial infections. December 11, 1997. CDC public domain. Accessed April 6, 2023.
