Medically Important Parasites (3) Flashcards
Gastrointestinal nematode examples
- Enterobius vermicularis (pin worm)
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Trichuris trichiura
- Necator amercanus (new world), Ancylostoma duodenale (old world) (hookworm)
- Strongyloides stercoralis
Enterobius vermicularis characteristics
- Pin worm
* Long pointed tail
Enterobius vermicularis ovum
- Oval
- Flattened on one side
- Thick colourless shell
Enterobius vermicularis transmission
- Faecal oral
- Ingestion
- Inhalation of ova
Enterobius vermicularis diagnosis
Scotch tape test
Enterobius vermicularis treatment
• Anti-helminthic drug (eg. Mebendazole, piperazine)
Enterobius vermicularis life cycle
- Eggs on perianal folds. Larvae inside eggs mature within 4-6h
- Embryonated eggs ingested by humans
- Larva hatch in small intestine
- Adults in lumen of caecum
- Gravid female migrate to perianal region at night to lay eggs
Ascaris lumbricoides size
• Largest intestinal nematode
Ascaris lumbricoides egg
• Broadly oval, thick, transparent shell, surrounded by yellow/brown bile-stained mammilated outer covering
Ascaris lumbricoides Pathogenesis
- Inflammatory reaction due to migrating larvae: Loffler’s Syndrome
- Blockage of intestine by adult worms
Ascaris lumbricoides diagnosis
• Fertilised/unfertilised eggs
Ascaris lumbricoides treatment
Any antiparasitic agent (mebendazole, piperazine)
Ascaris lumbricoides life cycle
L2 hatch in small intestine -> penetrate wall -> migrate via hepatic portal circulation -> alveoli of lungs -> trachea -> pharynx -> swallowed -> develop into adult worms in small intestine -> mate -> 2 months egg production
Trichuris trichiuria characteristics
- Whipworm
* slender thread-like anterior, thicker posterior
Trichuris trichiuria egg
- Bile stained
- Oval, thick, smooth shell, clear
- Prominent polar plug at each end