Threadworm Flashcards
1
Q
What are threadworms also known as?
A
- pinworm
- enterobiasis
2
Q
What is the species name of threadworm?
A
- Enterobius vermicularis
3
Q
What is the life cycle of threadworm?
A
- Female threadworms lay an average of 11,000 tiny eggs outside anus or around vagina at night whilst child is asleep
- Eggs get on to the hands then to mouth to be ingested
- Larvae hatch in the small intestine and establish themselves in the colon
- Maturity takes 2 weeks
- Adults lifespan 6 weeks
4
Q
What is the most common helminthic infection in the UK?
A
- Threadworm
5
Q
What are RF for threadworm infection?
A
- Poor hygiene
- Overcrowding
6
Q
What age group is affected by threadworm?
A
- 5 & 9 yo
- but all ages can be affected
7
Q
How would threadworm infection present like?
A
- pruritus ani or pruritus vulvae - especially at night
- vaginal discharge, UTI or nocturnal enuresis - girls before puberty
- tiny piece of white cotton moving in the anal or vulval region - best seen at night
- sleep disturbance
8
Q
What are the differential diagnosis for threadworm?
A
- irritation by nylon undercloth
- hemorrhoids
- perianal eczema
- psoriasis
- neurotic excoriation
9
Q
What Ix would you order for threadworm?
A
- clinically diagnosed
- adhesive tape test for eggs
- Transparent wide hypo-allergenic adhesive tape is applied to the perianal skin first thing in the morning
- tape is then placed on a slide for examination
10
Q
How would you mx threadworm?
A
- Conservative
- hygiene measures
- Mebendazole
- >2yo
- Single oral dose. repeat after 2-3 weeks
- albendazole, pyrantel pamoate (other drug choices)
11
Q
What are the cx of threadworms?
A
- Excessive scratching
- inflammation, laceration and secondary infection of perianal skin
- loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia, enuresis, and irritability
12
Q
How to prevent threadworm infection?
A
- good hygiene
- regular hand washing before handling food
- Sucking fingers or biting nails is to be discouraged
