Ascaris Lumbricoides - Giant Roundworm
Ascaris lumbricoides, giant roundworm, is the most common parasitic worm in humans. According to some
estimates 25 % of humans are infected with the disease, ascariasis. Ascariasis occurs worldwide, mostly in tropical
and subtropical countries. It has highest prevalence in areas of poor sanitation and where human feces are used as
fertilizer.
The life cycle of Ascaris lumbricoides takes about three months. Ascariasis starts,
when Ascaris lumbricoides eggs are accidentally swallowed. They can be acquired from dirty fingers, water
or food that has been contaminated with feces of an infected human. Larvae hatch from the eggs, penetrate the
intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. They stop at pulmonary arteries and stay in the lungs for two weeks.
They break into the alveoli and travel up the respiratory system to the throat to be swallowed again. The migration
is needed for the larvae to develop into adults. Adult worms attach themselves to the intestinal wall ready to
mate. Adults survive by eating food digested by the host and live up to 2 years. A female produces about
200 000 microscopic eggs per day that are passed in feces. The eggs fertilize into infective stage within a
few weeks in the right conditions in the soil. Unfertilized eggs are not infective. The eggs are very resistant to
chemicals, extreme temperatures and other rough conditions and can survive for months. Adult females are 20–35 cm
long and 3–6 mm in diameter. Male worms are a little smaller reaching 15–30 cm in length and 2–4 mm in width.
Ascariasis can be asymptomatic, if there are only a few worms. If there are tens or hundreds of worms, symptoms
might include:
- diarrhea
- fever
- nausea
- stomach ache
- slower growing of a child or a teen
- vomiting
- weakness.
Unlike many other human roundworms, Ascaris lumbricoides does not usually feed on blood. When larvae
migrate through the lungs, the following pulmonary symptoms may occur:
- breathing difficulty
- cough and/or coughing up blood
- eosinophilic pneumonitis.
If you happen to vomit or defecate an adult Ascaris lumbricoides, take the worm to your health care
provider for diagnosis. Usually however, the diagnosis is done by examining your feces for the
presence of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs. Your health care provider asks you to provide stool samples for
testing.
Ascariasis is usually treated for 1–3 days with ascaricides medicine prescribed by your health
care provider. Some common drugs are albendazole, ivermectin, nitazoxanide and mebendazole, which kills roundworms
by preventing them from absorbing nutrients. You may be asked to provide additional stool samples 1–2 weeks after
the treatment to confirm that the worms are dead.
To prevent new infections:
- Avoid touching soil that might be contaminated with human feces.
- When traveling to areas where hygiene and sanitation are poor, avoid food and water that might be
contaminated with soil.
- Wash hands with water and soap before eating or preparing food.
- Wash, peel or cook all fruits and vegetables before eating.
Also check out the Ascaris lumbricoides pictures and videos.
Ascaris lumbricoides QuizTo reveal the answer you need to click the correct option.
How many humans are infected with ascariasis?
+ A) More than one billion people (1,000,000,000+)
Correct.
+ B) More than one million people (1,000,000+)
This too is correct.
What does an adult Ascaris lumbricoides usually eat?
+ A) Blood
Incorrect. They do not suck blood (although this is not fully proven).
+ B) Intestinal bacteria
Incorrect.
+ C) Digested food
Correct.
How big do they grow?
+ A) 3 cm
Incorrect.
+ B) 30 cm
Correct.
+ C) 3 m
Incorrect.
How is ascariasis diagnosed?
+ A) From a stool sample
Correct. The diagnosis can be done by examining your feces under a microscope.
+ B) From a blood sample
Incorrect.
How do you get infected?
+ A) Tiny larvae penetrate your skin with their sharp teeth
Incorrect. You are confusing Ascaris lumbricoides with hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis.
+ B) You accidentally swallow microscopic eggs
Correct.
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