C1. Common Nematode Infections Flashcards
(50 cards)
What are the common nematode infections common seen in pharmacy ?
Pins, threads, whip, giant
What is the meaning of nematode ?
A worm of the large phylum Nematoda, such as a round work or threadworm
What is the scientific name for Pin worms (classification)?
Enterobius vermicularis
What is the scientific name for threadworm (classification)?
Trichuris trichiura
What is the scientific name for giant worm (classification) ?
Ascaris lumbricoides
Describe three visual features of flatworms (platyhelminths)
- Flat body plan
- No alimentary canal
- Suckers present
- Hermaphrodites (mostly)
Describe three Visual features of tape worms (cestodes)
- Tape like, segmented
- No alimentary canal
- Hermaphrodites
- Head has hooks and suckers
Describe three visual features of roundworms (Nematoda)
- Rounded
- Complete alimentary canal
- No suckers
- Sexually differentiated
What is the definition of geohelminths?
Soil transmitted helminths
Where does development usually take place in intestinal nematodes?
Outside of the body
How does infection occur in intestinal nematodes ?
Through contact with parasite eggs or infective larvae in contaminated soil or food
True or false. Geohelminths are the least common chronic infection of humans
False, most common
When should the term infestation be used?
When talking about infestation of ticks, fleas and other ectoparasites
What is enterobius vermicularis?
Pinworm or thread worm
What is it called when someone is infected with pinworm/threadworm?
Enterobiasis or oxyuriasis
Where are pinworms/threadworm often located when someone has been infected ?
Cecum: First part of colon (large intestine) after leaving the small intestine
What its the average length that pinworms can grow up to?
2-13mm
What is the most common type of infection in the UK and what age group does it usually affect ?
Pinworm/threadworm
children
What are the hosts for pinworm/threadworm?
Humans are the only host
Do threadworms multiply in the body?
No, Mating takes place in the body but reproduction and egg laying takes place externally
Give a brief preview of the lifecycle of enterobius vermicularis
- Embryonated egg ingested by human
- Larvae hatch inside small intestine
- Adults found in the cecum.
- Mating takes place in cecum
- Female migrated to perianal folds to lay eggs
- Eggs mature within 4-5 hours
What are the modes of transmutation of enterobius vermicularis ?
- Direct transmission from anal region to mouth by hands and fingernail contamination
- indirect transmission form visible eggs on surfaces such as bedsheets and clothes
- contamination via airborne eggs entering nose/mouth from contaminated dust
- Reinfection: larvae hatch from eggs on anal mucosa and larvae migrate up bowel
What are the key symptoms of entrobiasis
- Pruritus ani
- Vulvitis, worms entring vulva
- Insomnia and restlessness, loss of appetite
Is entrobiasis detectable through blood samples?
No, this is because it does not cause anaemia not eosinophilia therefore undetectable though blood sampling
Worms fo not feed off of blood, just deriving nutrient from the intestine