Worm Diseases

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate helminthiasis (worm disease): Cestodes (tapeworms) Cyclophyllidae Strong sensation of hunger Weight loss Diarrhea (diarrhea) Appendicitis (appendicitis) Echinococcus [Echinococcosis] Upper abdominal discomfort or chest pain (chest pain). Occlusive icterus – yellowing of the skin caused by obstruction of the bile ducts. Irritative cough, difficulty breathing Expectoration (coughing up) of … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) Pathogenesis depends on the type of pathogen: usually, the pathogen is transmitted as follows: see below. Etiology (causes) Cestodes (tapeworms) Cyclophyllidae Raw beef, pork Echinococcus [Echinococcosis] Oral ingestion of eggs from dog/fox/cat feces: ingestion of contaminated food (e.g., wild berries, etc.). Hymenoleptidae Oral intake of eggs directly Oral ingestion of larvae in … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Causes

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Therapy

Depending on the type of worm, the following adjunctive measures may be used. General measures Observance of general hygiene measures: Frequent hand washing (including fingernails, esp. after each toilet use and before eating). Fingernails cut as short as possible irregularly detached. Prevent nail biting (onychophagy/perionychophagy) Use of towels and washcloths only person-related. Change underwear and … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Therapy

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by cestodes (tapeworms): Cyclophyllidae Weight loss Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) Echinococcus [Echinococcosis] Occlusive icterus – yellowing of the skin caused by obstruction of the bile ducts. Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) Allergic shock Pseudophyllidae Ileus (intestinal obstruction) Anemia (anemia) due to … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Complications

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Classification

Classification of helminthoses (worm diseases). Strain Family Type Cestodes (tapeworms) Pseudophyllidae Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm). Cyclophyllidae Taenia saginata (bovine tapeworm) Taenia solium (porcine tapeworm) Echinococcus [echinococcosis] Echinococcus granulosus (dog tapeworm) Echinococcus multilocularis (fox tapeworm) Echinococcus vogeli Echinococcus oligarthus Hymenolepidae Vampirolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) Hymenolepis diminuta (rat tapeworm). Nematodes (threadworms) Oxyuridae (pinworms) Enterobius vermicularis [oxyuriasis]. Ascarididae … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Classification

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [pruritus (itching), exanthema (skin redness), skin florescences (skin lesions), inflammation of the skin/crustations (larva migrans externa … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Examination

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Test and Diagnosis

Laboratory parameters of 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Differential blood count [eosinophilia in 14-38% of cases] Ferritin – if iron deficiency anemia is suspected. Inflammatory parameter – CRP (C-reactive protein). Stool examination for enteropathogenic germs, fungi, parasites and worm eggs. Microscopic examination of the thick drop and thin blood smears (plasmodia … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Test and Diagnosis

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target Elimination of the worms Therapy recommendations Anthelmintics (drugs against worm diseases). Trunk Family [name of disease] Agents Special features Cestodes (tapeworms) Cyclophyllidae Praziquantel Echinococcus[Echinococcosis.] AlbendazoleMebendazole for alveolar echinococcosis. For E. multilocularis, lifelong therapy Hymenolepidae NiclosamidePraziquantel Pseudophyllidae PraziquantelNiclosamide Nematodes (nematodes) Ancylostomatidae AlbendazoleMebendazolePyrantelembonate (N. americanus). Angiostrongylus AlbendazoleMebendazoleLevimazoleThiabendazole Ascarididae (roundworms) AlbendazoleMebendazole In anisakis simplex, often self-healing … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Drug Therapy

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of abdominal organs) – for suspected involvement of abdominal organs (e.g., liver in V. D. for liver fluke) Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Diagnostic Tests

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of helminthiasis (worm disease). Family history What is the general health of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Do you frequently travel abroad? If so, where exactly? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Are you experiencing pain? If yes, … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Medical History

Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Cestodes (tapeworms) Cyclophyllidae Weight loss Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) Echinococcus [Echinococcosis] Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). Neoplasms in the lungs, unspecified. Liver metastases (daughter tumors), unspecified Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) Liver cirrhosis – connective tissue remodeling of the liver, which leads to functional limitations. Pseudophyllidae Other worm diseases Consumptive diseases such as neoplasms, tuberculosis. … Parasitic Worms (Helminths), Helminthiasis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis