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The following text is from an archived Red Book® edition and may not reflect current recommendations or information. To view the current edition, click here.
Section 3. Summaries of Infectious Diseases
Ascaris lumbricoides Infections
Clinical Manifestations
Etiology
Epidemiology
Diagnostic Tests
Treatment
Isolation of the Hospitalized Patient
Control Measures
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS: Most infections are asymptomatic, although moderate to heavy infections may lead to malnutrition, and nonspecific gastrointestinal tract symptoms may occur in some patients. During the larval migratory phase, an acute transient pneumonitis (Löffler syndrome) associated with fever and marked eosinophilia may occur. Acute intestinal obstruction may develop in patients with heavy infections. Children are prone to this complication because of the small diameter of the intestinal lumen and heavy worm burden. Worm migration can cause peritonitis, secondary to intestinal wall penetration, and common bile duct obstruction resulting in biliary colic, cholangitis, or pancreatitis. Adult worms can be stimulated to migrate by stressful conditions (eg, fever, illness, or anesthesia) and by some anthelmintic drugs. Ascaris lumbricoides has been found in the appendiceal lumen in patients with acute appendicitis, but a causal relationship is uncertain.
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ETIOLOGY: Ascaris lumbricoides is the most widespread of all human intestinal roundworms.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY: The adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine. Females produce 200 000 eggs per day, which
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Related text in Red Book:
- Drugs for Parasitic Infections
Red Book 2003: 744-770.[Extract] [Full Version]
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