Pinworm infestation Health Dictionary

An invasion by animal ectoparasites. Infestation is used more for gross parasites on the surface of the body that produce mechanical effects; infection of parasites within the body.... infestation

See ENTEROBIASIS.... pinworm

Infection by any parasitic worm. (See worm infestation.)... helminth infestation

An infestation of the small intestine by small, round, blood-sucking worms of the NECATOR AMERICANUS or ANCYLOSTOMA DUODENALE species. Hookworm infestation occurs mainly in the tropics.

The larvae penetrate the skin of the feet or are ingested. They migrate throughout the body and mature in the small intestine. Adult worms lay eggs, which pass out in the faeces.

When larvae penetrate the skin, a red, itchy rash may develop on the feet. In light infestations, there may be no further symptoms. In heavier infestations, migration of the larvae through the lungs may produce cough and pneumonia; adult worms in the intestines may cause abdominal discomfort. The most important problem is iron-deficiency anaemia due to loss of blood.

Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the faeces for worm eggs. Anthelmintic drugs kill the worms. (See also larva migrans.)... hookworm infestation

Tapeworms (cestodes) are ribbon-shaped worms that infest the intestines of humans and animals. They are usually acquired by eating undercooked meat or fish. Tapeworms from beef, pork, and fish usually only cause mild abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea. However, if eggs of pork worms are ingested, the hatched larvae burrow into tissues to form cysts. This leads to cysticerosis, the symptoms of which are muscle pain and convulsions. Rarely, fish tapeworms cause anaemia. Dwarf tapeworms, common in the tropics, can cause diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. Tapeworms acquired from dogs cause hydatid disease. A diagnosis is made from the presence of worm segments or eggs in the faeces. Treatment is with anthelmintic drugs.... tapeworm infestation

A common infestation with a small worm, ENTEROBIUS VERMICULARIS (pinworm), that lives in the intestines. Threadworms primarily affect children. The female adult threadworms are white and about 1 cm long (large enough to see). They lay eggs in the skin around the anus, and their movements cause tickling or itching in the anal region, often at night. Eggs are transferred from the fingers to the mouth to cause reinfestation or are carried on toys or blankets to other children. Swallowed eggs hatch in the intestine and the worms reach maturity after a period of 2–6 weeks. Diagnosis is made by seeing the worms or by applying a piece of sticky tape to the anal area to collect the worms or eggs. Treatment is with an anthelmintic drug.... threadworm infestation

Several types of worm, or their larvae, existing as parasites of humans. They may live in the intestines, blood, lymphatic system, bile ducts, or in organs such as the liver. In many cases, they cause few or no symptoms, but some can cause chronic illness. There are 2 main classes: roundworms and platyhelminths, which are subdivided into cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes).

Worm diseases found in developed countries include threadworm infestation, ascariasis, whipworm infestation, toxocariasis, liver-fluke infestation, and various tapeworm infestations. Those occurring in tropical regions include hookworm infestation, filariasis, guinea worm disease, and schistosomiasis.

Worms may be acquired by eating undercooked, infected meat, by contact with soil or water containing worm larvae, or by accidental ingestion of worm eggs from soil contaminated by infected faeces.

Most infestations can be easily eradicated with anthelmintic drugs.... worm infestation

a *monodelusional disorder in which patients believe they or their environment are infested by living or non-living pathogens. These can range from rats in the patient’s house to microspores in the air. Most commonly, patients claim they are infested with insects, worms, parasites, mites, or inanimate threads or fibres, often underneath their skin. Many present the alleged parasite as a specimen for examination. If compliance can be established, most patients respond well to *antipsychotic medication. The term delusional infestation was first introduced by Roland W. Freudenmann and Peter Lepping in 2009, and has gradually superseded the terms delusional parasitosis and Ekbom’s syndrome.... delusional infestation