Helminths Flashcards
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus are the most common types of this helminth and are most commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
Hookworms
How do most cases of Hookworm present?
Asymptomatically
Hookworm infections may present with what type of rash?
Pruritic maculopapular rash
- sometimes with serpiginous tracks of larval migration
Hookworm infection causes: dry cough, wheezing, and low fever. What are the larvae of the Hookworm doing during this phase?
Migrating to the Lungs
One month after the hookworms migrate through the lungs, where do they go to next?
Gastrointestinal Tract
- pain
- diarrhea
- anorexia
Large infestations of Hookworm can lead to what?
Iron-deficiency Anemia
Protein Malnutrition
How is Hookworm diagnosed?
Eggs in Feces - Ova & Parasite Test
CBC - Microcytic Anemia + Eosinophilia
What is the primary treatment for Hookworm?
Albendazole (single dose)
Mebendazole (2x a day for 3 days)
What are the four major non-invasie Tapeworms?
Beef Tapeworm - Taenia saginata
Pork Tapeworm - Taenia solium
Fish Tapeworm- Diphyllobothrium latum
Dwarf Tapeworm - Hymenolepis nana
How do most Taenia Tapeworms present?
Asymptomatically
What is the classical manifestation of Diphyllobothriasis infection?
Megaloblastic anemia (Vitamin B12 deficiency)
Hymenolepiasis is most common in what age population?
Children
How do most cases of Hymenolepiasis present?
Asymptomatically
- symptoms are more common as burden increases
- 1000+ worms or 500+ eggs per gram/stool
How is Tapeworm diagnosed?
Eggs or Proglottids in Stool - Ova & Parasite
How are most tapeworms treated?
Praziquantel (PO)
5 - 10mg/kg
How is dwarf tape worm treated?
Praziquantel (PO)
25mg/kg
Repeat dose after 1 week
Invasive Tapeworm infection that occurs through direct human fecal contamination of food leading to the ingestions of eggs of T. Solium. Leads to tissue infection with cysts.
Cystericercosis
Cystericercosis infection that can cause seizures, focal neurological deficits, altered cognition, and psychiatric disease. Intracerebral, subarachnoid, spinal cord lesions, or intraventricular cysts may be present.
Neurocystericercosis
Cystericercosis infection that involves muscle or subcutaneous tissue and may present with asymptomatic nodules that can cause discomfort when inflamed.
Extraneural Cystericercosis
How is Cystericercosis diagnosed.
Neuroimaging + ELISA
- CT and MRI
What is a caveat to treating Cystericercosis?
Medical management is controversial
- use adjunct steroid therapy if you do intend to treat it
- Anti-seizure medications
How should you treat Cystericercosis?
Albendazole (10-14 days)
- use adjunct steroid therapy
In a patient with Cystericercosis, what warrants anti-parasitic therapy?
Viable or Degenerating Cysts
Invasive tapeworm contracted through ingesting food contaminated with canine feces containing parasite eggs from E. granulosis and E. multiocularis
Echinococcosis
