Tape worms

Reservoir - humans are definitive host for two common species but Cattles are commonly
associated for Taeniasis saginata and Pigs are for Taeniasis solium

Portal of Exit - eggs of both species can be found from feces of cattles, pigs or infected humans
and these can contaminate the environment when they defecate in open areas.

Mode or transmission - Humans can also acquire this through contaminated water. Embryos
escape the shells and penetrate the intestinal wall and starts to develop into adult tapeworms.

Portal of Entry - Ingestion of undercooked or raw meat infected with the eggs of the worm.

Manifestations - Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation are common symptoms after
ingestion of contaminated meat.

Possible complications - Epileptiform seizures, visual or psychiatric disturbances,

neurocysticercosis, visible and palpable nodules beneath the skin

Pinworm

Reservoir - humans are the only reservoir of pinworm particularly the specie E. vermicularis

Portal of Exit - eggs of pinworms are usually found in the perineal area, contaminated surfaces
like clothes or bed linens

Mode of transmission - ingestion or contact with hands that is contaminated with the eggs of
pinworms to the mouth of the same or another person. Can also be indirectly transmitted
through clothes, food, beddings.

Portal of Entry - Mouth by ingestion

Manifestations - Itchy anal region, vulvovaginitis, disturbed sleep or irritability

Possible complications - abdominal pain, appendicitis, in some cases infection of the femal
genitalia

Hookworms

Reservoir - hookworms or considered soil-transmitted helminth and is one of the common

roundworms of humans
Portal of Exit - Hookworms in larvae phase infest the soil and direct contact can harbor the
larvae

Mode of Transmission - Direct contact with soil that contains the hookworm larvae

Portal of entry - After direct contact with infested soil, the larvae enters the skin and travels
through the bloodstream which is carried to the lungs. They are carried into the small intestine
when you cough them out of the lung and swallow (sputum).

Manifestations: abdominal pain, nausea, fever, blood in stool, loss of appetite and rashes

Possible complications - anemia and protein deficiency caused by blood loss at site of
attachment

Roundworm

Reservoir - Ascaris eggs in soil or infected humans act as reservoirs.

Portal of exit - Human feces then contaminates the soil

Mode of transmission - Ingestion of infective eggs from soil contaminated with human feces,
uncooked produce contaminated with soil containing infective eggs. Transmission does not
occur from direct person-to-person contact or from fresh faeces.

Portal of entry - Mouth by ingestion

Manifestations - abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, worms in vomit or stool

Possible complications - nutritional deficiency, eosinophilia and pulmonary infiltration

References:

Taeniasis/Cysticercosis. (2019, June 18). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-

sheets/detail/taeniasis-cysticercosis.

Department of Health & Human Services. (2015, October 8). Taeniasis (tapeworm). Retrieved from
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/disease-information-advice/taeniasis-
tapeworm.

CDC - Enterobiasis - Disease. (2013, January 10). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/pinworm/disease.html.
Department of Health & Human Services. (2015, October 8). Pinworm (threadworm) infection. Retrieved
from https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/disease-information-
advice/pinworm.

CDC - Hookworm - Disease. (2013, January 10). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/hookworm/disease.html.

Delgado, A. (2019, March 8). Hookworm Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/health/hookworm#causes.

Department of Health & Human Services. (2015, October 8). Ascariasis (roundworm). Retrieved from
https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/disease-information-
advice/ascariasis-roundworm-infection.

Ascaris lumbricoides. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.msdsonline.com/resources/sds-resources/free-

safety-data-sheet-index/ascaris-lumbricoides/.

CDC - Ascariasis. (2018, February 15). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/.

Schmidt, G. B., Roberts, L. S., & Janovy, J. (1996). Foundations of parasitology (5th ed.). London: Wm. C.
Brown.