As helminthiasis – colloquially called worm diseases – (worm infestation, worm infection; Ancylostoma duodenale; Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus (hookworms); Ancylostomatidae (hookworm); Angiostrongylidae; Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm); Angiostrongylus costaricensis; Anisakis marina; Anisakis simplex; Ascarididae (roundworm); Ascaris lumbricoides; Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm); Ascaris lumbricoides; Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus; Bilharzia; Brugia malayi; Brugia timori; Cestodes; Clonorchis sinensis; Cyclophyllidae; Intestinal fluke; Intestinal parasites; Dicrocoelium dendriticum; Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm); Dracunculus medinensis; Echinococcus oligarthus; Echinostoma; Enterobius vermicularis; Fasciola gigantica; Fasciola hepatica; Fasciolopsis buski; Filiariidae (nematode); Gastrodiscoides; Helminthiasis; Heterophyes; Hymenolepidae (dwarf tapeworm); Hymenolepis diminuta; Intestinal nematode infections; Liver flukes; Loa loa; Lung flukes; Metagonimus; Necator americanus; Nematodes (threadworms); Onchocerca volvulus; Opisthorchis felineus (cat liver fluke); Opisthorchis viverrini (chin. Liver fluke); Oxyuren; Oxyuriasis; Oxyuridae (pinworm); Paragonimus africanus; Paragonimus heterotremus; Paragonimus iyazakii; Paragonimus kellicotti; Paragonimus mexicanus; Paragonimus uterobilateralis; Paragonimus westermani; Pseudophyllidae; Rhabditidae; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma intercalatum; Schistosoma japonicum; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma mekongi; Schistosomatidae; Schistosomiasis; Spiruridae; Strongyloides fuelleborni; Strongyloides stercoralis; Strongyloides stercoralis (dwarf nematode); Taenia saginata (cattle tapeworm); Taenia solium (pig tapeworm); Toxocara canis/-cati; Trematodes (sucking worms); Trichuridae (whipworm); Trichuris trichiura; Trichuris trichiura (whipworm); Trichuris trichiura; Vampirolepis nana; Watsonius; Wuchereria bancrofti; Cercariae; Zestodes (tapeworms); Helminthoses: ICD-10-GM B65-B83: helminthoses) refers to diseases caused by parasitic worms. In most cases, it is a gastrointestinal (affecting the gastrointestinal tract) disease with helminths. The three strains of worm species are presented below:
- Nematodes (threadworms)
- Trematodes (sucking worms)
- Cestodes (tapeworms)
Under classification, you will find the division of the above strains into “family” and “species”. The prepatency period (time from ingestion of the worm (infestation) to its sexual maturity) is quite different among the different forms. Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) usually occurs through contaminated food such as raw or undercooked meat, or through vegetables and salads and fruit contaminated with feces and unwashed. Nematodes are also transmitted through contaminated toys or laundry at kindergarten or elementary school age. The most common helminthiasis is schistosomiasis. It is the second most common tropical disease after malaria (see schistosomiasis). The prevalence (disease frequency) for trichinae (Trichinella spiralis; belongs to the nematode phylum) is very low in Germany due to the legally required meat inspection, but is still widespread in Eastern Europe and North America.Prevalence estimates for pinworm infestation (oxyuriasis) for kindergarten and primary school children are around 20%; toddlers (< 2 years), older children (> 14 years) and adults are only sporadically affected. Course and prognosis: Course and prognosis depend on the type of worm. Worms can cause ileus (intestinal obstruction) by forming tangles in the intestine or can obstruct the ductus choledochus (bile duct) by migration. Tapeworms can migrate to the appendix vermiformis (appendix) or the ductus pancreaticus (pancreatic duct), among other places, and cause appendicitis (appendicitis) or pancreatitis (pancreatitis). Echinococcosis, which belongs to the group of cestodes (tapeworms), tramatodes (flukes) such as Paragonimus spp. and schistosomes, nematodes (threadworms) such as roundworms, hookworms and microfilaria, can lead to infestation of the lungs. Among the most dangerous worm diseases are the echinococcoses – see under the corresponding disease.Nematodes and cestodes (mainly bovine and porcine tapeworms) are well treatable with appropriate pharmacotherapy (drug treatment).For course and prognosis of schistosomiasis, see under the disease of the same name. The prognosis for cysts of canine and fox tapeworms depends on the degree of destruction of the liver or lungs caused by the cysts.
