Askarida | Antibody IgG (serum)

General Information

Ascaris is a type of roundworm-nematode parasite that lives in the intestines of other organisms. The spread of worm eggs is carried out through the fecal-oral route and improper hygiene

Ascariasis is quite common in the inhabitants of tropical and subtropical regions, especially in unsatisfactory sanitary conditions.

Ascariasis does not spread directly from person to person. For this, a person must have contact with soil contaminated with faecal masses or water containing ascaris eggs. People can also get sick from undercooked pork or chicken, which may be infected with ascariasis. In young children, contamination can occur after contact with soil through dirty hands, unwashed fruits and vegetables.

The life cycle of a worm

• Through contaminated hands, food and water, microscopic roundworm eggs enter the digestive system and cause infection, but before that, the eggs must come into contact with the soil.
• Eggs that get into the small intestine pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and circulate in the body. Once in the lungs, the mature eggs (larvae) burrow into the lung tissue and cause symptoms characteristic of respiratory tract diseases.
• After returning to the intestine, the parasite begins to grow and multiply.
• A female roundworm can produce up to 200 eggs per day (if worms of both sexes are present in the intestine), which are released into the environment along with faecal masses.
• For the further development of the eggs, it is necessary for them to enter the soil for 2-4 weeks.

The complete life cycle of a worm - from the egg to the adult period - takes about 2-3 months. Ascaris can live in the intestine for up to 2 years.

Symptoms

Ascariasis may be asymptomatic. When microscopic worm larvae enter the intestine, they enter the blood vessels through the intestinal wall and begin to move with the blood stream. Larvae may occur in various organs. The larvae mature in the small intestine and cause symptoms such as:

• Abdominal dull pain
• Nausea-vomiting
• Diarrhea with bloody impurities

If there is a large number of worms in the intestine, it is possible to develop:

• Acute abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Weight loss and malnutrition (food absorption disorders)
• Worms in oral mass and feces

Complications

Mild cases of ascariasis do not cause complications. If the degree of infection is high, there is a risk of complications such as:

• Delayed growth - loss of appetite and interruption of absorption processes in the intestine cause the child's growth and development to slow down.
• Intestinal Blockage – In severe ascariasis, when large numbers of worms are present in the intestine, this may cause obstruction and obstruction of the intestinal lumen, which in turn is sometimes complicated by intestinal perforation, bleeding, and infection.
• Blockage of the ducts - in rare cases, worms can block the ducts of the pancreas and liver, which is manifested by severe pain.

Diagnosis

It is not always possible to detect worms in faecal masses or sputum. In such a situation, it is used:

1. Stool analysis to detect worm eggs. Ascaris eggs appear in the feces no earlier than a month and a half after infection
2. Serological tests - in ascariasis, the number of eosinophils (granulocytic blood cells, which are released in response to parasitic and allergic processes) increases. Specific antibodies against ascariasis IgG The finding confirms the disease

Treatment

Treatment of ascariasis includes anti-worm medications, the dosage and duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician.

Prevention

• Observance of hygienic norms - washing hands after contact with the soil, as well as after using the toilet; washing fruits and vegetables properly before serving; Complete thermal processing of meat products
• while traveling from drinking open ground water, unwashed fruits and vegetables and TRefrain from eating unprocessed food.