Parasitic diseases >>>> Human ascariasis

Human ascariasis.

Ascariasis is a type of helminthiasis caused by helminths - ascaris nematodes. Parasites multiply in the intestinal lumen, laying eggs, and the grown larvae with blood flow are carried to various organs (liver, heart, brain, eyes, lungs, bronchi, trachea, pharynx, oral cavity). From the oral cavity, the larvae return to the intestines, where new adults grow. The cycle of reproduction and seeding of the body lasts up to three months. The lifespan of the roundworm is one year. But due to repeated infections inside the body, a person can suffer from ascariasis for several years (self-healing does not occur).

Ascaris infection occurs when unwashed fruits and vegetables are used in food, containing eggs and ascaris larvae on the surface. Further, the source of infection is a person. Infected human feces, not disposed of in accordance with sanitary and epidemiological standards, fall into the soil of garden plots, and then on the surface of vegetables or fruits that come into contact with the ground during growth.

The disease of ascariasis occurs in two phases: migration and intestinal. In the initial period of the lesion, ascariasis proceeds imperceptibly, practically asymptomatic. Symptoms appear later and correspond to areas of damage to organs and tissues by ascaris.

Signs of ascariasis:

During the period of migration of roundworm larvae through the body, skin rashes (urticarial), allergic reactions, itching in the mouth, nose, cough (when seeding the mouth and nose) appear ;
During the intestinal phase, pain in the intestines, stool disorders, nausea, anal itching, general weakness, low-grade fever are observed;
Large accumulations of ascaris in the intestines can cause intestinal obstruction;
When ascaris enters the bile ducts and the lumen of the gallbladder, cholangitis or jaundice develops;
The defeat of various organs (liver, lungs) can cause parenchymal bleeding and purulent inflammation (abscesses).

Diagnosis of ascariasis is carried out on the basis of laboratory tests of sputum, feces, duodenal contents. A blood test is performed to detect specific antibodies to roundworms. X-ray studies using an X-ray contrast agent can show the presence of ascaris in the intestine. Radiography of the lungs can show areas of infiltrates, but they quickly disappear without residual effects.

Treatment of ascariasis is based on taking a number of drugs that expel ascaris (Pirantel, Levomizole, Piperazine adipate).

Prevention of ascariasis is aimed at compliance with hygiene standards (hand washing, thorough washing or heat treatment of food) and sanitary and epidemiological measures for the disposal of feces. A special place in the prevention of the disease has the correct organization of latrines in garden plots, not the use of human feces for fertilizing the soil. Roundworms completely die in preserved cesspools in two years, pretreated with chemicals. It is recommended to neutralize the soil for the prevention of ascariasis with polycarbacin, thiozone, carbation.