Threadworm Flashcards
What causes threadworms
Strongyloides stercoralis
Where in the world do you find strongyloides?
Worldwide but increased in Caribbean, sun saharan Africa and SE Asia
How is strongyloides transmitted?
Filariform larva penetrates skin
Can be faecal oral ingestion of larvae
Where do the strongyloides adult worms live?
Female adult worm live in small intestine within columnar epithelium and lay eggs in mucosa
How do you diagnose a strongyloides infection?
Rhabditiform larva in faeces
Hard to see:eosinophilia and larva currents enough to treat
How do you differentiate syourself rongyloides and hookworm rhabditiform larvae?
Hookworm: long buccaneers cavity
Strongyloides: short buffalo cavity and predominant genital primordium
What are the symptoms of a strongyloides infection?
Majority asymptomatic Ground itch Larva currens Loffler like syndrome Dysentery Periumbilical parasitic thrumbprint purpura Chronic infection
What is the consequence of autoinfection in strongyloides?
Hyperinfection in immunocompromised
Gram negative sepsis
Can spread to CNS
high mortality
What is the treatment for a strongyloides infection?
Ivermectin 2/7 or albendazole 7/7
How do you prevent soil transmitted helminths?
Wear shoes
Hygiene
Don’t use human faeces to fertilise food
Mass drug administration annually if prevalence >20%, biannually if >50%
-donated medications, ivermectin for strongyloides
What are the global targets for control of soil transmitted helminths?
By 2030
- achieve and maintain elimination of STH morbidity in pre school and SAC
- reduce the number of tablets needed for preventative chemo
- Increase domestic financial support for preventative chemo
- Establish an efficient STH control programme in adolescent, pregnant and lactating women
- Establish an efficient strongyloides control programme in SAC
- Ensure universal access to basic sanitation
