HELMINTHIC INFESTATIONS

 

 

HELMINTHIC INFESTATIONS

 

INTRODUCTION:

            The world heliminths is derived from the Greek helmins (parasitic worm) helminthic worms are highly prevalent and, depending on the species, may exist as free living organisms or as parasites of plant or animal hosts.

 

DEFINITION:

            Helminthiasis, also known as worm infection, is any macroparasitic disease of humans and other animals in which a part of the body is infected with parasitic worms known as helminths.

 

CAUSES:

·        It can occur due to infective disposal of human excreta.

·        More common in children who are living in poor environment sanitation conditions and where lack of personal hygiene is prone.

·        Children who are eating and playing in mud.

·        Infection through the unwashed vegetables.

·        Drinking of contaminated water.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

·        Child loose the weight day by day.

·        Itching at anal area

·        Abdominal pain

·        Nausea and vomiting may occur

·        Diarrhea may occur

·        Growth failure

·        Fever

·        Anemia may occur

·        Sleeplesness and irritability may occur.

 

DIAGNOSIS:

·        History collection

·        Physical examination

·        Stool and vomiting examination

 

PREVENTION:

·        Child’s garments should washed and dried in sunlight daily

·        Provide daily bath to child and clean the perineal area properly

·        Give health education to child regarding washing the hands with soap before and after.

 

TYPES OF HELMINTHS:

There are three types;

·        Nematodes (Round Worm)

·        Trematodes (Flukes)

·        Cestodes (Tape Worms)

            These organisms majorly differ with each other by their life cycles. Pathogenesis and made of infection.

 

ASCARIASIS

(Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection)

DEFINITION:

            Any parasitic roundworm of the genus Ascaris, found in the human small intestine and causing colic and diarrhea.

 

CAUSES:

·        Children may be contaminated by playing with soil or plants and putting their hands in their mouths.

·        A person can contract ascariasis by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, especially if they do not adequately wash the food or their hands.

SYMPTOMS:

            Acariasis may not cause symptoms at first. However, as the infestation inside the small intestine grows, a person may start to notice symptoms including;

·        Abdominal pain or discomfort

·        Loss of appetite

·        Worms visible in stool

·        Vomiting

·        Weight loss

·        Nausea

·        Diarrhea

 

LIFE CYCLE OF ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES:

            If a person ingests the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, the round worm will progress through its life cycle within the host’s body.

            The stages of a roundworm life are as follows;

·        Eggs hatch into larvae in the host’s intestine

·        The larvae move through the body via the blood stream to the lungs

·        The larvae will mature in the lungs before entering the throat

·        A person will either swallow or cough out the larvae

·        If swallowed, the larvae move into the intestine and mature into adult worms

·        A female worm will produce about 200000 eggs per day

·        The egg will leave body in a person’s stool

 

DIAGNOSIS:

·        Endoscopy to look inside the intestine

·        Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

·        Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

·        X-Ray

 

TREATMENT:

·        A doctor will treat most causes of ascariasis with antiparasitic drug

·        A doctor may suggest surgery to help remove large numbers of worms. Surgery is also good option if the infestation blocks a portion of the intestine.

COMPLICATION:

·        A blockage in the ducts that connect to the liver or pancreas

·        A blockage in the intestine, causing pain and vomiting, this is a medical emergency

·        Stunted growth and nutritional deficiencies in children

 

PREVENTION:

·        Filter and boil water before drinking it

·        Wash hands with soap and hot water before handling food and eating

·        Ensure children clean their hands with soap and water after playing outside.

·        Avoid common bathing areas especially if they appear unclean

 

OXYURIASIS

(Pin worm infection, enterobiasis)

DEFINITION:

            Infestation with or disease caused by pinworm

 

SYMPTOMS:

·        Frequent and strong itching of the anal area

·        Restless sleep due to anal itching and area

·        Pain, rash or other skin irritation around the anus

·        The presence of pinworm in stools

DIAGNOSIS:

·        Observation of the worms in stools (or) over perianal region

·        Demonstration of eggs in perianal swab obtained before the child was defected

·        Cellophane technique – a transparent cellulose acetate strip is applied over the child’s perianal region, them lifted and pressed on a glass slide for microscopic examination.

 

TREATMENT:

·        Pharmacotherapy: Currently, albendazole, mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate are the drugs of choice.

 

PREVENTION:

·        Hand hygiene, cutting short of nails and treatment of other family members simultaneously is important.

 

ANCYLOSTOMIASIS

(Hook Workms)

DEFINITION:

            Infestation of Hook worm is small intestine level as ancylostomiasis.

CAUSES:

·         Skin contact with soil containing infected human faces.

 

SYMPTOMS:

·        Itching and a localized rash this is often the first sign of infection, and they occur because of the larvae entering the skin

·        Pale skin appearance

·        Loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss

·        Nausea and vomiting

·        Abdominal pain, passing gas

·        Diarrhea

·        Coughing and fever

 

DIAGNOSIS:

·        Identification of the eggs in stool sample is by microscopy

·        Complete blood picture (CBP) for magnitude and type of anemia and presence of eosinophilis

·        Hb%

 

TREATMENT:

PHARMACOTHERAPY:

·        Albendazole, mebendazole and pyranten pamoat are the recommended drugs against hook worm infestation if hemoglobin is under 5g/dl correction of anemia with iron and / or blood transfusion must precede rather than follow the anthelminthic therapy.

 

PREVENTION:

·        Discouraging bare foot walking in soil.

 

SUMMARY

            The NIDs include schistomiasis and the soil transmitted helminthes (STH) a group of parasites whose life cycle usually depends on a period of development outside the human host typically in moist worm soil.