Ascaris lumbricoides

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Background

  • Morbidity is related to number of worms harbored in intestines

Clinical Features

  • Light infections often asymptomatic
  • Heavier infections with variety of manifestations including GI symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool, rectal prolapse), malaise, weakness, impaired cognitive / physical development, malnutrition[1]</ref>

Löffler’s syndrome

  • Result of Ascaris or hookworm larval transit through the lungs
  • Characterized by persistent non-productive cough, chest pain, wheezing, rales, pulmonary infiltrates on CXR and marked eosinophilia

Differential Diagnosis

Helminth infections

Cestodes (Tapeworms)

Trematodes (Flukes)

Nematodes (Roundworms)

Diagnosis

Management

  • Albendazole 400 mg x 1 dose OR mebendazole 100 mg BID x 3 days (both high efficacy)

Disposition

  • Generally may be discharged

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Wilcox S, Thomas S, Brown D, Nadel E. “Gastrointestinal Parasite.” The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2007; 33(3):277-280