We need you! Join our contributor community and become a WikEM editor through our open and transparent promotion process.
Enterobius
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Colloquially known as Pinworm (United States), Treadworm (UK and Australia) or Seatworm
- Medical infectious name: Enterobiasis
- Worldwide distribution
- Risk factors (prevalence can reach up to 50% in these populations):
- Age under 18
- Institutionalized
- Cohabitation with infected individual
- Humans only known reservoir
- Transmitted by fecal-oral route
- Can survive outside of body for up to 3 weeks
Clinical Features
- Pruritus ani (intense itching of the perianal region)
- Worse at night
- Rarer symptoms include abdominal pain, appendicitis and infection of the female genital tract
Evaluation
- Tape test
- Most common
- Touch transparent tape to the perianal region and examine for eggs under the microscope
- Can also test by examining scrapings under patient's fingernails or examining perianal region 2-3 hours after patient falls asleep
- Stool analysis does not work because of low egg burden in stool
Differential Diagnosis
- Idiopathic pruritus ani
- Helminth infections
- Rectal tenesmus
Management
Management
- Single dose of Mebendazole or Albendazole
- Second dose in 2 weeks
- All family members should be treated at the same time
Prevention
- Carefully hand washing after using the toilet, and before and after eating
- Thoroughly launder all bedding, clothing, and toys to destroy any lingering eggs
- Launder all bedding every 3-7 days for three weeks
- Wash underwear and pajamas daily for two weeks
