Parasites

Question 1

Most common intestinal helminth (it infects 25% of world’s population - yuck!):

Answer 1

Ascariasis lumbricoides

Question 2

After it’s ingested via contaminated food or water, where does it go in the body?

Answer 2

Eggs ingested –> hatch in intestine –> penetrate into bloodstream –>lungs –> travel BACK to GI tract –> grow into adult worms

Question 3

Most common treatment for parasitic infections:

Answer 3

Albendazole, Mebendazole

Question 4

Enterobius vermicularis, aka

Answer 4

Pinworm

Question 5

Symptom associated with Enterobius vermicularis? / Dx

Answer 5

Anal pruritis (b/c female pinworm comes out of anus at night to lay her eggs)… Horror movie! / Use tape to pull eggs from perianal region & look under microscope… eggs NOT found in stool

Question 6

Causative agent in Trichinosis / how do you get it?

Answer 6

Trichinella spiralis / undercooked meat (especially pork)

Question 7

Unique symptom of Trichinosis

Answer 7

Periorbital edema

Question 8

What lab will be elevated often in parasitic infections?

Answer 8

Eosinophils

Question 9

Causative agent of Cystocercosis / what kind of worm is Cystocercosis? / how do you get it?

Answer 9

Taenia solium / Tape worm / undercooked pork

Question 10

What type of infection can dog and cat pin worms cause in humans?

Answer 10

Cutaneous infection of larva migrans

Question 11

Describe the appearance of larva migrans / Tx

Answer 11

serpiginous tracks on skin; lesions can become secondarily infected / usually self-limited & will resolve w/o Tx

Question 12

Parasites that suck blood from the intestines / how do you get them?

Answer 12

Hookworm / feces contaminated soil

Question 13

Trematode blood fluke

Answer 13

Schistosomiasis

Question 14

Animal vector for Schistosomiasis

Answer 14

snail

Question 15

Mites burrowing through the skin / Tx?

Answer 15

Scabies / permethrin & treat entire household!