Description

Ascaris lumbricoides is the small roundworm of humans, growing to a length

of up to 35 cm (14 in). It is one of several species of Ascaris. An ascarid
nematode of the phylum Nematoda, it is the most common parasitic worm in
humans. This organism is responsible for the disease ascariasis, a type of
helminthiasis and one of the group of neglected tropical diseases. An
estimated one-sixth of the human population is infected by A. lumbricoides
or another roundworm. Ascariasis is prevalent worldwide, especially in
tropical and subtropical countries.
Appearance
The adult Ascaris worm is creamy to pinkish-white in color. It's cylindrical in
shape with tapering at both ends of the worm. It can reach up to 35cm in
length, with females longer than males. The adult female can lay up to
250,000 eggs per day.

Disease
Ascariasis is a disease caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris
lumbricoides. Infections have no symptoms in more than 85% of cases,
especially if the number of worms is small. Symptoms increase with the
number of worms present and may include shortness of breath and fever in
the beginning of the disease. These may be followed by symptoms of
abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Children are most
commonly affected, and in this age group the infection may also cause poor
weight gain, malnutrition, and learning problems

Infection occurs by eating food or drink contaminated with Ascaris eggs from
feces. The eggs hatch in the intestines, burrow through the gut wall, and
migrate to the lungs via the blood. There they break into the alveoli and pass
up the trachea, where they are coughed up and swallowed. The larvae then
pass through the stomach for a second time into the intestine, where they
become adult worms. Ascariasis is classified as a neglected tropical disease
as it is a type of soil-transmitted helminthiasis. These diseases are in turn
part of a group of diseases called helminthiasis.

In the adult stage, symptoms are usually related to the amount of worms
present. A few worms are usually no problem, and the patient doesn't show
symptoms. Heavy infections can produce a bolus (a ball of worms), which
can block the intestine or cause a twisting of the bowel.
Sometimes the adult worms can migrate to vital organs where they normally
don't go, such as the liver, brain or lungs. This is called "erratic ascariasis"
and can occur because of fever, anesthesia and some medications. Migration
of adult worms to these organs can be fatal.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention is by improved sanitation, which includes improving access to

toilets and proper disposal of feces. Handwashing with soap appears
protective. In areas where more than 20% of the population is affected,
treating everyone at regular intervals is recommended. Reoccurring
infections are common. There is no vaccine. Treatments recommended by
the World Health Organization are the medications albendazole,
mebendazole, levamisole, or pyrantel pamoate. Other effective agents
include tribendimidine and nitazoxanide