We need you! Join our contributor community and become a WikEM editor through our open and transparent promotion process.
Ascaris lumbricoides
From WikEM
(Redirected from Ascaris)
Contents
Background
- Morbidity is related to number of worms harbored in intestines
Clinical Features
- Minor infections are often asymptomatic
- More severe infections have variety of manifestations including GI symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool, rectal prolapse), malaise, weakness, impaired cognitive / physical development, malnutrition[1]
Löffler’s syndrome
- Characterized by persistent non-productive cough, chest pain, wheezing, rales, pulmonary infiltrates on CXR and marked eosinophilia
- Result of Ascaris or hookworm larval transit through the lungs
Differential Diagnosis
Helminth infections
Cestodes (Tapeworms)
- Taenia saginata
- Taenia solium (Cysticercosis)
- Diphyllobothrium latum
- Hymenolepis nana
- Echinococcus granulosus
Trematodes (Flukes)
- Fasciola hepatica
- Fasciolopsis buski
- Opistorchis viverrini
- Schistosoma spp
- Chlonorchis sinensis
- Paragonimus spp.
Nematodes (Roundworms)
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Enterobius vermicularis (Pinworm)
- Filarial worms
- Hookworm
- Necator americanus
- Ancylostoma duodenale
- Cutaneous larva migrans (Ancylostoma braziliense)
- Dracunculus medinensis
- Strongyloides stercoralis
- Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
- Anisakis
- Toxocara spp.
- Trichinosis
Evaluation
Management
- Albendazole 400mg x 1 dose OR mebendazole 100mg BID x 3 days (both high efficacy)
Disposition
- Generally may be discharged
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Wilcox S, Thomas S, Brown D, Nadel E. “Gastrointestinal Parasite.” The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2007; 33(3):277-280
