| Roundworms (Ascaris Lumbricoides and Ascaris Suum) |
Ascaris are parasitic worms in the intestines of various terrestrial animals, chiefly herbivores.
They are typically large worms characterized by a mouth surrounded by three lips. The
species Ascaris lumbricoides is probably the most familiar parasite in humans. An almost
identical worm, often called A. suum, occurs in pigs.
The intestinal roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides infection in humans follows the ingestion of
Ascaris eggs that have contaminated foods or soil. In the small intestine the larvae are
liberated and migrate through the intestinal wall, reaching the lungs, where they may
produce a host sensitization that results in lung inflammation and fluid retention. About 10
days later, the larvae pass from the respiratory passages into the digestive tract and mature
into egg-producing worms, which grow to some 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16 inches) in length, in the
small intestine. Serious, even fatal, complications of ascariasis result from the infiltration of
the larvae into sensitive tissues, such as the brain, and from the migration of the adult worms
into various body structures where they produce abcesses and toxic manifestations.
Ascariasis exists worldwide and is believed to affect some 660 million persons.
They are typically large worms characterized by a mouth surrounded by three lips. The
species Ascaris lumbricoides is probably the most familiar parasite in humans. An almost
identical worm, often called A. suum, occurs in pigs.
The intestinal roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides infection in humans follows the ingestion of
Ascaris eggs that have contaminated foods or soil. In the small intestine the larvae are
liberated and migrate through the intestinal wall, reaching the lungs, where they may
produce a host sensitization that results in lung inflammation and fluid retention. About 10
days later, the larvae pass from the respiratory passages into the digestive tract and mature
into egg-producing worms, which grow to some 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16 inches) in length, in the
small intestine. Serious, even fatal, complications of ascariasis result from the infiltration of
the larvae into sensitive tissues, such as the brain, and from the migration of the adult worms
into various body structures where they produce abcesses and toxic manifestations.
Ascariasis exists worldwide and is believed to affect some 660 million persons.
| Life Cycle Diagram |
Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine. A female may produce up to 240,000
eggs per day, which are passed with the feces . Fertile eggs embryonate and become
infective after 18 days to several weeks , depending on the environmental conditions
(optimum: moist, warm, shaded soil). After infective eggs are swallowed , the larvae hatch ,
invade the intestinal mucosa, and are carried via the portal, then systemic circulation to the
lungs . The larvae mature further in the lungs (10 to 14 days), penetrate the alveolar walls,
ascend the bronchial tree to the throat, and are swallowed . Upon reaching the small
intestine, they develop into adult worms . Between 2 and 3 months are required from
ingestion of the infective eggs to oviposition by the adult female. Adult worms can live 1 to 2
years
eggs per day, which are passed with the feces . Fertile eggs embryonate and become
infective after 18 days to several weeks , depending on the environmental conditions
(optimum: moist, warm, shaded soil). After infective eggs are swallowed , the larvae hatch ,
invade the intestinal mucosa, and are carried via the portal, then systemic circulation to the
lungs . The larvae mature further in the lungs (10 to 14 days), penetrate the alveolar walls,
ascend the bronchial tree to the throat, and are swallowed . Upon reaching the small
intestine, they develop into adult worms . Between 2 and 3 months are required from
ingestion of the infective eggs to oviposition by the adult female. Adult worms can live 1 to 2
years
| The anterior end of Ascaris lumbricoides. Notice the three prominent "lips". |
| A large mass of Ascaris lumbricoides that was passed from a person's intestinal tract |
| The Ascaris lumbricoides can measure up to 16 inches long. A common parasite in humans. |
| Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis, Oxyuris spp.) |
Over 200 million people worldwide are thought to be infested by pinworms with 30 to 40 million living in
the United States. This worm is found in both warm and cold climates and no socioeconomic group is
immune to infection. It is commonly found in crowded institutions such as day-care centers, schools,
hospitals and orphanages. It is most prevalent in children. They are tiny, 2-13 millimeters, and ivory or
pearly-white in color. Eighty percent of the children between 2 and 10 years of age contract pinworms
at some time.
Adult worms inhabit the cecum and other portions of the large and small intestines. Female worms
crawl down the intestines and pass out of the anus to lay their eggs around the anal region at night.
Occasionally, they can be found on the first stool in the morning. One female can deposit over 15,000
eggs that become infective immediately or within a few hours.
This common occuring worm is acquired through contaminated food, water, and house dust, as well as
human-to-human contact. The crawling of the female worm on the skin around the anal area often
produces intense itching causing a person to scratch there, getting the eggs on the hands. Without
washing, the hands touch the mouth. Now the eggs are swallowed and hatch in the lower colon where
the worms mate, and cycle continues.
The eggs are usually found on the infected person's pajamas and bed linen. Children can easily infect
the entire family through the bathtub, toilet seat, and bedclothes. The eggs are easily transported by
air currents making it common to find them in every room of the house; on sheets, clothes, walls and
carpets. They can easily stay viable for weeks. Infections and reinfections continue by wearing clothes
or sleeping in the bed of an infected person, as well as handling infected pets. It can be passed from
an infected person that handles the food in the household. If one person in the family has pinworms, it
is common to find others infected as well. This is a very contagious organism.
Complications are much more common in women than in men. This stems from the fact that the female
worm, after depositing her eggs, loses her way while trying to return to the colon. She enters the
vagina instead, traveling up the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Itching around the anal or vaginal areas are the most common pinworm symptoms. Suspect a pinworm
infection if your child shows night time itching in these areas. Symptoms also include poor appetite,
teeth grinding, hyperactivity, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, bed wetting, stomach aches, nausea
and vomiting. Sometimes the anal area becomes infected with bacteria because of the constant
scratching. Pinworms are also often found within the appendix and have been associated with acute
and chronic inflammation.
Eggs are seldom found in the feces. A parent needs to inspect the child's rectal area at night when the
child is sleeping for evidence of the organism. One way is to perform a Scotch tape test. The first thing
in the morning pat the sticky side of the Scotch tape around the child's anal opening. Fold the tape
together with the smooth side out, the pinworm eggs will be viewable under a microscope.
While doing the Purify invading organism cleanse, it is also good to try to prevent infection and
re-infection from pinworms. Bathe daily, but use one washcloth and towel for the face and hands, and
another for the rest of the body. Don't reuse the towels before washing them. It is important to scrub
hands after bathroom use and before eating. Keep toothbrushes in containers so they will not be
contaminated. If there is someone infected in the household, they need to wear close-fitting
underpants at all times, even when sleeping, and not share the bed with others. Bed linens and
personal clothing must be washed daily. Scrub toilet seats, and clean and vacuum daily to remove
eggs. Keep all rooms well aired out.
If you are consistent with the cleanse program and keep the dwelling place clean using the above
mentioned tips; the pinworm infestation will soon be neutralized and the reinfection factor will be
diminished.
the United States. This worm is found in both warm and cold climates and no socioeconomic group is
immune to infection. It is commonly found in crowded institutions such as day-care centers, schools,
hospitals and orphanages. It is most prevalent in children. They are tiny, 2-13 millimeters, and ivory or
pearly-white in color. Eighty percent of the children between 2 and 10 years of age contract pinworms
at some time.
Adult worms inhabit the cecum and other portions of the large and small intestines. Female worms
crawl down the intestines and pass out of the anus to lay their eggs around the anal region at night.
Occasionally, they can be found on the first stool in the morning. One female can deposit over 15,000
eggs that become infective immediately or within a few hours.
This common occuring worm is acquired through contaminated food, water, and house dust, as well as
human-to-human contact. The crawling of the female worm on the skin around the anal area often
produces intense itching causing a person to scratch there, getting the eggs on the hands. Without
washing, the hands touch the mouth. Now the eggs are swallowed and hatch in the lower colon where
the worms mate, and cycle continues.
The eggs are usually found on the infected person's pajamas and bed linen. Children can easily infect
the entire family through the bathtub, toilet seat, and bedclothes. The eggs are easily transported by
air currents making it common to find them in every room of the house; on sheets, clothes, walls and
carpets. They can easily stay viable for weeks. Infections and reinfections continue by wearing clothes
or sleeping in the bed of an infected person, as well as handling infected pets. It can be passed from
an infected person that handles the food in the household. If one person in the family has pinworms, it
is common to find others infected as well. This is a very contagious organism.
Complications are much more common in women than in men. This stems from the fact that the female
worm, after depositing her eggs, loses her way while trying to return to the colon. She enters the
vagina instead, traveling up the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Itching around the anal or vaginal areas are the most common pinworm symptoms. Suspect a pinworm
infection if your child shows night time itching in these areas. Symptoms also include poor appetite,
teeth grinding, hyperactivity, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, bed wetting, stomach aches, nausea
and vomiting. Sometimes the anal area becomes infected with bacteria because of the constant
scratching. Pinworms are also often found within the appendix and have been associated with acute
and chronic inflammation.
Eggs are seldom found in the feces. A parent needs to inspect the child's rectal area at night when the
child is sleeping for evidence of the organism. One way is to perform a Scotch tape test. The first thing
in the morning pat the sticky side of the Scotch tape around the child's anal opening. Fold the tape
together with the smooth side out, the pinworm eggs will be viewable under a microscope.
While doing the Purify invading organism cleanse, it is also good to try to prevent infection and
re-infection from pinworms. Bathe daily, but use one washcloth and towel for the face and hands, and
another for the rest of the body. Don't reuse the towels before washing them. It is important to scrub
hands after bathroom use and before eating. Keep toothbrushes in containers so they will not be
contaminated. If there is someone infected in the household, they need to wear close-fitting
underpants at all times, even when sleeping, and not share the bed with others. Bed linens and
personal clothing must be washed daily. Scrub toilet seats, and clean and vacuum daily to remove
eggs. Keep all rooms well aired out.
If you are consistent with the cleanse program and keep the dwelling place clean using the above
mentioned tips; the pinworm infestation will soon be neutralized and the reinfection factor will be
diminished.
| Life Cycle Diagram |
Eggs are deposited on perineal folds Self-infection occurs by transferring infective eggs to
the mouth with hands that have scratched the perineal area Person-to-person transmission
can also occur through handling of contaminated clothes or bed linens. Enterobiasis may also
be acquired through surfaces in the environment that are contaminated with pinworm eggs
(e.g., curtains, carpeting). Some small number of eggs may become airborne and inhaled.
These would be swallowed and follow the same development as ingested eggs. Following
ingestion of infective eggs, the larvae hatch in the small intestine and the adults establish
themselves in the colon The time interval from ingestion of infective eggs to oviposition by
the adult females is about one month. The life span of the adults is about two months. Gravid
females migrate nocturnally outside the anus and oviposit while crawling on the skin of the
perineal area The larvae contained inside the eggs develop (the eggs become infective) in 4
to 6 hours under optimal conditions Retroinfection, or the migration of newly hatched larvae
from the anal skin back into the rectum, may occur but the frequency with which this happens
is unknown.
the mouth with hands that have scratched the perineal area Person-to-person transmission
can also occur through handling of contaminated clothes or bed linens. Enterobiasis may also
be acquired through surfaces in the environment that are contaminated with pinworm eggs
(e.g., curtains, carpeting). Some small number of eggs may become airborne and inhaled.
These would be swallowed and follow the same development as ingested eggs. Following
ingestion of infective eggs, the larvae hatch in the small intestine and the adults establish
themselves in the colon The time interval from ingestion of infective eggs to oviposition by
the adult females is about one month. The life span of the adults is about two months. Gravid
females migrate nocturnally outside the anus and oviposit while crawling on the skin of the
perineal area The larvae contained inside the eggs develop (the eggs become infective) in 4
to 6 hours under optimal conditions Retroinfection, or the migration of newly hatched larvae
from the anal skin back into the rectum, may occur but the frequency with which this happens
is unknown.
| An adult pinworm. Note that the posterior end is drawn to a fine point |
| It is estimated that pinworms infect more than 400,000,000 people in the world |
| Parasites |