Oxyuriasis Health Dictionary

(oxyuriasis) n. a disease, common in children throughout the world, caused by the parasitic nematode Enterobius vermicularis (see threadworm) in the large intestine. The worms do not cause any serious lesions of the gut wall although, rarely, they may provoke appendicitis. The emergence of the female from the anus at night irritates and inflames the surrounding skin, causing the patient to scratch and thereby contaminate fingers and nails with infective eggs. The eggs may reinfect the same child or be spread to other children. Worms may occasionally enter the vulva and cause a discharge from the vagina. Enterobiasis responds well to treatment with *mebendazole.... enterobiasis