Medical Encyclopedia: Ascariasis

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Medical Encyclopedia: Ascariasis URL of this page:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000628.htm

Definition

Ascariasis is an infection caused by a parasitic roundworm, Ascaris

lumbricoides.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Ascariasis is the most common intestinal worm infection. It is found in

association with poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation, and in places where

human feces are used as fertilizer. Intake of food or drink contaminated with

roundworm eggs causes infection.

The eggs hatch and release larvae within the intestine. The larvae then move

through the bloodstream to the lungs, exit up through the large airways of the

lungs, and are swallowed back into the stomach and intestines.

During movement through the lungs the larvae may produce an uncommon form of

pneumonia called eosinophilic pneumonia. Once back in the intestines, they

mature into adult roundworms. Adult worms live in the intestine where they lay

eggs that are present in feces.

It is estimated that 1 billion people are infected worldwide. Ascariasis

occurs in all ages, though children seem to be affected more severely than

adults.

Symptoms

 

Passing worms in stool

Vomiting up worms

Worms exiting through the nose or mouth

Low-grade fever

Cough

Bloody sputum

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Skin rash

Vomiting

Stomach pain

Note: There may be no symptoms. Signs and tests

 

Stool ova and parasites exam

An abdominal x-ray

Routine blood counts (may show anemia)

Malnutrition

Treatment

Treatment includes medications that kill intestinal parasitic worms such as

albendazole or mebendazole. If there is a blockage of the intestine caused by a

large number of worms, another medication can make the worms relax and pass

through the intestine. This will relieve the obstruction.

Expectations (prognosis)

Most people recover from the infection, even without treatment. However,

complications may be caused by adult worms that move to certain organs or

multiply and cause a blockage in the intestine.

Complications

 

Biliary (liver secretion) tract obstruction

Perforation (hole) in gut

Blockage in the intestine

Abscesses throughout the body

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of this

disease, particularly if you have traveled to areas which may be affected. Also

call if symptoms worsen, do not improve with treatment or if new symptoms occur.

Prevention

Improved sanitation and hygiene in developing countries will reduce the risk

in those areas. In areas where this disorder is common, routine or preventive

(prophylactic) treatment with deworming medications may be advised.

 

Update 7/12/2004

Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore

Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000628.htm

 

" Respect means listening until everyone has been heard and understood, only

then is there a possibility of " Balance and Harmony " the goal of Indian

Spirituality. " Dave Chief, Grandfather of Red Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

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