ASCARIASIS
Ascaris lumbricoides is a large parasitic worm that causes ascariasis in humans. A roundworm of genus
Ascaris, it is the most common parasitic worm in humans.
Higher classification: Small intestinal roundworms
Kingdom: Animalia
Order: Ascaridida
Phylum: Nematoda
Scientific name: Ascaris lumbricoides
Morphology of Ascaris
Adults of Ascaris lumbricoides are large roundworms. Females measure 20–35 cm long with straight taisl;
males are smaller at 15–31 cm and tend to have curved tails. Adults of both sexes possess three “lips” at
the anterior end of the body.
Disease Caused/ Causative agent
Ascaris lumbricoides is a large parasitic worm that causes ascariasis in humans.
Signs and symptoms
In mild or moderate ascariasis, the intestinal infestation can cause:
Vague abdominal pain.
Nausea and vomiting.
If you have a large number of worms in the intestine, you might have:
Cough.
Shortness of breath.
Abdominal pain.
Nausea and diarrhea.
Blood in the stool.
Weight loss.
Fatigue.
Presence of the worm in vomit or stool.
Laboratory Diagnosis
The standard method for diagnosing ascariasis is by identifying Ascaris eggs in a stool sample using a
microscope. Because eggs may be difficult to find in light infections, a concentration procedure is
recommended.
Some people notice infection when a worm is passed in their stool or is coughed up. If this happens,
bring in the worm specimen to your health care provider for diagnosis.
Control and treatment
Anthelmintic medications (drugs that remove parasitic worms from the body), such as albendazole and
mebendazole, are the drugs of choice for treatment of Ascaris infections, regardless of the species of
worm. Infections are generally treated for 1–3 days. The drugs are effective and appear to have few side
effects.