Question

Briefly explain what Nocturnal or Diurnal mean and why it is so important to know with Filarial Nematodes

Answer 1

Nocturnal animals are those animals which are awake and active during nights, whereas diurnal animals are those animals which are active during day.

Now, it is important to know the above concepts before dealing with filarial nematodes because these filarial nematodes showa periodic migration during day and night. They are less active in blood during day time, and more active during night, so are mostly nocturnal. Therefore for the diagnostic purpose blood smears are made at night when microfilarial levels are usually higher in blood.