Ascariasis - General Facts

❖ Parasite​:
➢ Cluster: Nematodes
➢ Classification: ​Ascaris lumbricoides
➢ Images:
​
■ Ascaris lumbricoides egg
■ Adult worm
❖ Vector/Transmission​:
➢ Primary transmission vector to humans: consuming contaminated food and drink
​
containing ​Ascaris eggs
➢ Primary hosts: humans
❖ Life Cycle​:
➢ Life cycle diagram
■ Adult worms live 1-2 years
❖ Epidemiology/Distribution​:
➢ World distribution: worldwide
➢ High-risk demographics: areas with poor hygiene and poor sanitation; warm and
moist climates
❖ Diagnosis​:
➢ Primary symptoms:
■ Often no symptoms are present during infection
■ May cause abdominal pain and intestinal blockage
❖ Prevention​:
➢ Good hygiene practices are important to prevent infection, like washing hands
with soap and water before handling food
➢ Properly cooking foods that grow in soil fertilized with manure
❖ General Resources for More Information​:
➢ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/index.html
 Ascariasis - Medical Facts
❖ Pathophysiology​:
➢ Heavy infections may impair growth in children
❖ Diagnosis​:
➢ Primary tests (thresholds):
​ ​ scaris eggs in stool
■ Identification of A
❖ Treatment​:
➢ Medication: Albendazole
➢ Action: ​Albendazole should be taken with food
❖ Control​:
➢ Proper sewage management
❖ General Resources for More Information​:
➢ http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/ascariasis/index.html