Morphology: Nuclear Column

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Microfilariae in Humans. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Morphology: Nuclear Column

The nuclear column refers to the way the nuclei are arranged in the microfilariae. Nuclear material - in the most basic of terms, using the WHO Benchaid - may be arranged as follows18:
  • Loose (sparse, discrete; spaces seen between nuclei) - as in Wuchereria bancrofti
  • Moderately compact - as in Onchocerca volvulus
  • Compact (dense; unable to see discrete nuclei throughout most of the microfilarial body) - as in Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, Loa loa, Mansonella perstans, Mansonella ozzardi, Mansonella streptocerca
Note: More detail on the nuclei as seen in the tail region will be described on the morphology page, "Posterior-tail."
18. World Health Organization (WHO). Bench aids for the diagnosis of filarial infections. WHO.int publications. December 11, 1997. Accessed April 6, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241544899
19. CDC. Plate #2: Detail of Brugia malayi microfilariae tail. Bench aids for the diagnosis of filarial infections. CDC.gov. December 11, 1997. Public domain. Accessed April 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/resources/pdf/benchAids/Brugia_benchaid_who.pdf

Detail of Brugia malayi tail showing compact nuclear column, as well as the widely separated subterminal and terminal tail nuclei (arrowheads). (The longer arrow shows a faint sheath.) (19)