What is the difference between rhabditiform and filariform of hookworms?

Answer 1

The difference between rhabditiform and filariform larvae of hookworms is as follows:

1. rhabditiform - juvenile stage 1

The larvae grow and molt in the soil, and later transform into a juvenile stage 2.

2. rhabditiform - juvenile stage 2

Juvenile stage 1 molts a second time, then becomes juvenile stage 3.

3. filariform - juvenile stage 3, the infective form

The molting and growth process from rhabditiform to filariform usually take 5 to 10 days. Filariform larvae can penetrate human skin, travel through the blood vessels and heart, eventually entering the lungs where they can interfere with breathing and cause other respiratory problems.