ENTEROBIASIS

ENTEROBIASIS
(ENTEROBIUS VERMICULARIS, PINWORM,
THREADWORM, OR SEATWORM)

Enterobiasis is an infection that occurs worldwide

and is most prevalent in school-aged children
(ages 5 to 10) in areas of high population density.
(Bundy & Cooper, 2000)
Caused by intestinal nematode Enterobius
vermicularis, for which human are the only host.
Entrobius vermicularis, is a
small round worm
The female being about ¼
inch long
The male somewhat shorter
Commonly called pinworms
MODE OF
TRANSMISSION

Anal-oral route transmission of the eggs of the same host.

Indirect transmission may result from eggs of the parasite
that contaminate clothing, bedding, or food.
Objects commonly used by other persons, such as
washbowls, furniture, doorknobs, etc., may be a source of
infection.
Infected bedding or clothing that is shaken may disperse
eggs into the air, from which they may inhaled.
 Life cycle of
pinworm

• The ingested eggs pass into

the stomach where they
hatch,
• larvae proceed through the
small intestine into the large
intestine where the mature
worms develop. The entire
process takes about 6
weeks.
• When the Gravid worms are ready
to lay their eggs, they moved
downward through the rectum and
anus, where the eggs are
deposited in the fold of perineal
skin.

• After releasing the eggs the worms

die. In most instances the
migration and deposition of eggs
occur about 30 minutes after the
infected person has retired for the
night, but in severe infections it
may occur during the day.
INCUBATION

The incubation period from ingestion of the eggs to

the deposition of the next generation of eggs on
the perianal skin is approximately 3 to 5 weeks
(Bundy & Cooper, 2000; Liu, 2001)
 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Itching about the anogenital

region.
Itching may lead to restlessness
& loss of sleep at night
Irritable
Refuse food & lose weight
Nausea & vomiting
In female children & women
the worms may crawl into the
vulva, vagina, or urethra
causing infection, & severe
pruritus & irritation may result
from scratching.
COMPLICATION

Rarely, the worm gains access to the peritoneal cavity

through the female genital tract or a perforation in the
bowel. This can result in chronic peritonitis or
granulomatous nodules in the abdominal organs.
DIAGNOSIS

Cellulose tape slide ( Scotch tape test) is applied

to the skin about the anal folds, & the eggs are
removed from the slide by a solvent (toluol).
Perform early in the morning or at night.
PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY

Communicability continues as long as the eggs are being

discharged onto the perianal area. The eggs can survive
for several days in the right conditions. Reinfection from
contaminated hands is common.
TREATMENT

Pyrvinium pamoate, 5mg of the base per kilogram of

body weight as a single oral dose.

Piperazine, administered daily for seven days.

METHODS OF CONTROL

Keeping the fingers out of and away from the mouth.

Keeping fingernails short.
Thorough handwashing following use of the toilet.
Daily bathing with warm water & soap.
All sleeping garments, underwear, towels, etc. should be
boiled daily
All contaminated objects washed with soap & water.