Ascariasis
Ascaris lumbricoides, the causative agent of ascariasis, is the most common parasitic worm in humans. Approximately one billion people worldwide are infected with it, and more than 60,000 people die from the disease annually
This worm is transmitted via the faecal-oral route. The adult worm lives in the upper small intestine and releases eggs which pass in the faeces. Once ingested, the larvae are released and penetrate the wall of the intestine. The larvae then migrate to the lungs where they are coughed up and swallowed.
Possible complications include:
- anaemia
- appendicitis
- common bile duct obstruction - usually too big to enter the biliary passages
- pancreatitis
Treatment is with mebendazole.
Reference
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites - ascariasis: resources for health professionals. May 2020 [internet publication].
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.