Antihelminthics Flashcards
What are the 3 main helminthic groups?
Which group attacks the GI system?
Nematodes * GI system
Trematodes
Cestodes
What are the main nematodes that we are concerned with?
Pinworms (Enterobiasis)
Hookworm
River Blindness
Guinea Worm
What is the most common worm infection in the US?
Pinworm - Enterobius vermicularis
Who is most likely to get a pinworm infection?
How is it transmitted?
Children, institutionalized people, house-hold members of infected people
Fecal-oral route
What are the symptoms of a pin worm infection?
Anal itching - sleep disturbance
How do you treat a pinworm infection?
Albendazole (Rx) or pyrantel pamoate (OTC)
must treat everyone in the house
How do you transmit a tapeworm infection?
Eating raw/undercooked beef or pork - larva transmission
What are the S/S of a tapeworm infection?
Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, upset stomach
Can you treat tape worms with OTC meds?
No, only RX
What are the signs of neurocysticercosis (extension of tapeworm)?
Infect muscles, brain, eyes causing cysts that show up on MRI or CT scan.
Seizures and headaches are most common CNS sx.
How do you treat neurocysticercosis?
Praziquantel or albendenzole +/- steroids
How do you get infected with a guinea worm?
Ingestion of contaminated drinking water by larvae. Larvae gestate in abdomen for ~12 months.
What are S/S of guinea worm infection?
Mature worms form blisters in skin, typically hands and feet.
How do you treat guinea worm infection?
No medical treatment.
Pul worm out thru skin.
What infections are you most likely to get in a tropical or subtropical area from walking barefoot?
Hookworm
Strongyloidiasis (SE united states too)
What is the major concern for someone who has a strongyloidiasis infection?
Hyperinfection from “autoinfection” in someone who is immunosuppressed.
infection disseminates all over the body.
What antihelminthic is considered broad spectrum - covering roundworm, whip worm, hookworm, neurocysticercosis?
How does it work?
Albendazole
Paralyzes the parasite
How must you administer albendazole?
Take with a fatty meal
may crush or chew
What is the drug of choice for River Blindness, (Black Fly from Africa), strongyloidiasis?
Ivermectin
What are the weird side effects of Ivermectin?
How do you administer it?
Mazzotti-type reaction - rash, fever, itching
Eye reactions
On empty stomach
What is an OTC option for treating pinworms, roundworms, hookworms?
Pyrantel pamoate
