

The eggs can be spread by the fecal-oral route to the original host and new hosts. The worms live primarily in the cecum of the large intestine, from which the gravid female migrates at night to lay up to 15,000 eggs on the perineum. 2Īdult worms are quite small the males measure 2 to 5 mm, and the females measure 8 to 13 mm. More than 30 percent of children worldwide are infected. Humans are the only known host, and about 209 million persons worldwide are infected. 1 It is the most prevalent nematode in the United States. vermicularis, commonly referred to as the pinworm or seatworm, is a nematode, or roundworm, with the largest geographic range of any helminth. Intestinal parasites that remain prevalent in the United States include Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Entamoeba histolytica.Į. Intestinal parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world, particularly in undeveloped countries and in persons with comorbidities. Careful sanitation and use of peeled foods and bottled water are preventive. Metronidazole, chloroquine, and aspiration are treatments for liver abscess. Therapy includes luminal and tissue amebicides to attack both life-cycle stages. Stool and serologic assays, biopsy, barium studies, and liver imaging have diagnostic merit. Amebas can cause abscesses in the liver that may rupture into the pleural space, peritoneum, or pericardium. histolytica can cause intestinal ulcerations, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, fever, gastrointestinal obstruction, and peritonitis. Preventive measures include wearing shoes and treating sewage. Treatments include albendazole, mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, iron supplementation, and blood transfusion. americanus are hookworms that cause blood loss, anemia, pica, and wasting. Sewage treatment, proper handwashing, and consumption of bottled water can be preventive. Stool ova and parasite studies are diagnostic. Giardia causes nausea, vomiting, malabsorption, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Diagnosis can be made using the “cellophane tape test.” Treatment includes mebendazole and household sanitation. vermicularis, or pinworm, causes irritation and sleep disturbances. Diseases caused by Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, and Entamoeba histolytica occur in the United States. Intestinal parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality.
