Case 40: A 25 year old with abdominal discomfort and obstructive jaundice Flashcards
What are the symptoms of ascaris worm infection?
Recurrent abdominal discomfort
Transient biliary colic
Pain under right rib cage, fever, jaundice
How does an iodine stain of faeces infected with ascaris appear?
Eggs about the size of hookworms
Outer shell has wavy edge, almost double wall
How does ascaris cause transient biliary colic?
Hatched larvae tangles up in duct
What is the infective stage of ascaris?
Fertile egg stage
What stage of ascaris are specimens seen in?
Adult stage seen in faeces
What stage of ascariasis makes the patient sick?
Larvae
Are freshly-excreted ascaris eggs infective?
No - must be in faeces about 15 days
How is ascariasis treated?
Antihelminthics – mebendazole, albendazole