Ascaridioza

Areas endemic for soil-tranmitted helminths.

Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine. A female may produce up to 240,000 eggs per day, which are passed with the feces .

Fertile eggs embryonate and become infective after 18 days to several weeks , depending on the environmental conditions (optimum: moist, warm, shaded soil). After infective eggs are swallowed , the larvae hatch , invade the intestinal mucosa, and are carried via the portal, then systemic circulation to the lungs . The larvae mature further in the lungs (10 to 14 days), penetrate the alveolar walls, ascend the bronchial tree to the throat, and are swallowed . Upon reaching the small intestine, they develop into adult worms . Between 2 and 3 months are required from ingestion of the infective eggs to oviposition by the adult female. Adult worms can live 1 to 2 years

Ascaris lumbricoides

Fertilized Ascaris lumbricoides egg The fertilized egg measures 45 to 75 mm Ч 35 to 50 mm. Mature female worms are estimated to produce an average of 200, 000 eggs daily. Fertilized eggs become infective within approximately 2 weeks in a moist, warm soil, where they can then survive for months to years. Fertilized Ascaris lumbricoides egg

1. Egg containing a larva, which will be infective if ingested. 2 1. Egg containing a larva, which will be infective if ingested. 2. Larva hatching from an egg.

Ascariasis. Section of lung snowing very heavy infection with larvae of A. lumbricoides.

Some people may show early pulmonary symptoms and eosinophilia during the larval migration of the parasite.

Later on, some patients may also have abdominal symptoms.

The anterior end of Ascaris lumbricoides The anterior end of Ascaris lumbricoides. Notice the three prominent "lips".

Female and male Ascaris lumbricoides;the female measures approximately16 inches (40 cm) in length.

An adult Ascaris worm.  Diagnostic characteristics: tapered ends; length 15 to 35 cm (the females tend to be the larger ones).  This worm is a female, as evidenced by the size and genital girdle (the dark circular groove at bottom area of image).

Adult Ascaris lumbricoides worm Ascariasis is the most common helminthic infection worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 1 billion. Because virtually 100% of individuals living in areas of inadequate sanitation are infected, and each individual may be carrying hundreds of worms, the worm burden for our planet is staggering.

Ascariasis. Large adult form of Ascaris lumbricoides.

A large mass of Ascaris lumbricoidesthat was passed from a person's intestinal tract.

Ascaris lumbricoides

Ascariasis. Large adult form of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Mebendazole is used to treat intestinal infections. Gross specimen showing Ascaris occluding the appendix of a patient who presented with severe abdominal pain. Mebendazole is used to treat intestinal infections. Piperazine may help to relieve obstructions in the bile ducts or intestine by narcotizing the worms.

Biliary ascariasis – An adult Ascaris lumbricoides worm protruding from the major papilla is grasped with forceps during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Bolus of ascaris in the gut causing intestinal obstruction.

A 50-year-old man presented with abdominal distension, indigestion, and gastric stasis. His esophagogastroduodenoscopic images are shown.

Barium radiograph showing intestinal ascariasis Ascaris intestinal infection may be diagnosed radiographically. A radiolucent worm is shown in the barium-filled intestine of this patient; contrast material can also be seen in the worm’s digestive tract.

Ascariasis of the small bowel Ascariasis of the small bowel. A barium small bowel examination demonstrates a tubular filling defect within the small bowel lumen (arrows), which represents ascariasis.

Ascariasis. A single A. lumbricoides is visible within the common bile duct. Contrast material can also be seen in the alimentary tract of the worm, with was subsequently removed by sphincterotomy.

ERCP showing an ascaris worm in the common bile duct of a young African patient presenting with acute pancreatitis and cholangitis.