ascariasis

• most common parasitic infection in the world
• endemic along Gulf Coast, Ozark Mountains, Nigeria, Southeast Asia
• organism: Ascaris lumbricoides
• age: children (1-10 y.o.)

• cycle: soil -> duodenum -> venules/lymphatics -> lung -> brochus -> mouth -> jejunum

• location:
  • jejunum > ileum (99%)
  • duodenum, stomach, CBD, pancreatic duct
• symptoms: colic, eosinophilia, appendicitis, hematemesis, pneumonitis, jaundice

• 15-35 cm long filling defects
• whirled appearance (bolus of worms)

• intestinal obstruction/perforation
• intermittant biliary obstruction
• liver abscess (rare)
• granulomatous stricture of extrahepatic bile ducts (rare)

© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18