Ascariasis-CDCreport

Identification

Roundworm infection

Case classification
• Suspected case: A helminthic infection of the small intestine generally associated with few or no overt clinical symptoms.
• Probable case: Some patients have pulmonary manifestations caused by larval migration (mainly during reinfections) and characterized by wheezing, cough, fever, eosinophilia and pulmonary infiltration. Heavy parasite burdens may aggravate nutritional deficiency and, if chronic, may affect work and school performance. Serious complications, sometimes fatal, include bowel obstruction by a bolus of worms, particularly in children; or obstruction of bile duct, pancreatic duct or appendix by one or more adult worms. Reports of pancreatitis are increasing.
• Confirmed case: Diagnosis is made by identifying eggs in feces, or adult worms passed from the anus, mouth or nose. Intestinal worms may be visualized by radiological and sonographic techniques; pulmonary involvement may be confirmed by identifying Ascaris larvae in sputum or gastric washings.
Infectious agent

Ascaris lumbricoides