Ascariasis: (Ascaris lumbricoides )

Etiology

 The infective stage is the mature larva-containing egg.

Clinical manifestations

1- Pulmonary ascariasis: cough, blood stained sputum, eosinophilia, transient pulmonary infiltrates.

2- Abdominal ascariasis: malnutrition, abdominal pain and distension. Intestinal obstruction manifested by severe colicky abdominal pain and vomiting that may be bile stained and obstruction of billiary tract may occur.

Diagnosis

  · Direct fecal smear to detect the characteristic eggs.

  · Passage of the mature worms.

Treatment

- Albendazolel (400 mg PO once for all ages), or

- Mebendazole 100mg twice daily for 3 days or 500mg once.