Facts about ASCARIASIS

What is ASCARIASIS?
ASCARIASIS is a disease caused by parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. Ascaris, hookworm, and whipworm are known as soil-transmitted
helminths (parasitic worms). Ascariasis is the most common helminthic
infection, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 25% (0.8-1.22 billion
people).
Where is Ascaris lumbricodes being found?

Ascaris lives in the intestine and Ascaris eggs are passed in the feces of infected persons. If the infected person defecates outside (near bushes, in a garden, or field) or if the feces of an infected person are used as fertilizer, eggs are deposited on soil.
How do people get the Ascariasis?
People is expose to Ascaris lumbricoides when they are incidentally ingest the embryonated (infective) eggs
in faeces found in contaminated soil or food. Both infective stage and diagnosis stage are eggs of the parasite. After oral ingested the parasite by humans, the eggs may hatch in small intestine and release larvae.
The larvae may migrate to lungs, heart, kidney, or brain.
How it being diagnosed?

What are the symptoms of ASCARIASIS?

For people who are having symptoms of Ascariasis,

they may undergo several diagnosis to confirm the
disease. The diagnosis that they may try are such as
below:

People infected with Ascaris often show no symptoms. If symptoms do occur they can be light and
include abdominal discomfort. Heavy infections
can cause intestinal blockage and impair growth in
children. Other symptoms such as cough are due to
migration of the worms through the body.

Stool microscopy using wet mount method;

Eosinophilia, where peripheral eosinophilia
can be found during migration of parasite
through the lungs;
Ultrasound examination may help to diagnose hepatobiliary or pancreatic ascariasis;
Kato katz technique

How can I prevent it?

Avoid contact with soil that may be contaminated with human feces,
including with human fecal matter ("night soil") used to fertilize crops.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling food.
Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.
Wash, peel, or cook all raw vegetables and fruits before eating, particularly those that have been grown in soil that has been fertilized with
manure.

What should I do if I think I might have Ascariasis?

If you think you might have Ascariasis, you should see medical provider for further action.
REFERENCES
Dora-Laskey, A. (2014, November 21). Ascaris lumbricoides. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/788398 overview#a5,Lora, J. (2005, June). Ascariasis. Retrieved from http://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2005/Ascaris/
JLora_ParaSite.htm.,Vyas, J. M. (2014, July 12). Ascariasis. Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/
article/000628.htm., CDC. (2013, January 10). Ascaris FAQs. Retrived from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/gen_info/
faqs.html.,Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M, Geiger SM, Loukas A, Diemert D, et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis,
trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet. 2006 May 6. 367(9521):1521-32. ,CDC. (2013, January 10). Parasites Ascariasis. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/index.html