Clinical Parasitology-Module 8
Clinical Parasitology-Module 8
DEOCADES, RMT
Module
8
Module
8
MTPC 124
CLINICAL
PARASITOLOGY
EFREN II C. DEOCADES, RMT
MODULE VIII:
The nematodes
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Learning Outcomes
Introduction
In this module, we will discuss the first group of multicellular parasites—the Nematodes.
There are more than 60 species of nematodes that are known to infect humans and they are
classified as intestinal or extraintestinal nematodes. They are non-segmented, elongated,
cylindrical worms with a well-developed digestive tract and reproductive system. These group of
parasites are very important causes of parasitic infections affecting more than 1 billion people in
the entire world.
Activity/ Application
Cuticle
− Surface covering present on adult nematodes
Copulation
− Mating of select worms
Egg
− Female sex cells after fertilization
Embryonated
− Fertilized egg
Unembryonated
− Unfertilized egg
Larva
− Juvenile worms
Filariform larva
− Infective, nonfeeding stage that occurs after the
rhabditiform larvae completes their second molt
Rhabditiform larva
− Average immature newly hatched hookworm
characterized by the presence of a buccal
cavity/capsule and a small genital primordium − Infection begins following ingestion of infective
eggs that contain viable larvae.
Gravid − Larvae emerge from eggs once inside small
− Pregnant intestine.
− Larvae complete a liver-lung migration via
bloodstream.
− Once inside lung, larvae burrow inside alveoli,
then migration to bronchioles follows.
TRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
Medical Technology Department
NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
− the larvae may cause host sensitization resulting hepatobiliary, or pancreatic ducts and cause an
in allergic manifestations such as lung infiltration, obstruction
asthmatic attacks, and edema of the lips. − Patients with pulmonary symptoms have cough,
− Larvae are then transferred through coughing into eosinophilia, and/or pneumonia.
the pharynx, where they are swallowed and return − Löffler syndrome: eosinophils accumulation in
to the intestine. the lung as a response to a parasitic infection;
− Maturation of larvae occurs, resulting in adult immune-mediated, peripheral eosinophilia
worms that take up residence in small intestine. − Moderate infections: lactose intolerance and
− Adults (whitish or pinkish worms with terminal vitamin A malabsorption.
mouth with three lips and sensory papillae, do not
attach to the mucosa of the small intestines) Laboratory Diagnosis
multiply and resulting undeveloped eggs (as many − Specimen of choice is stool (DFS, Kato-Katz,
as 250,000/day) are passed in stool—this number Kato thick, FECT)
decreases with increasing worm load. − If negative:
− The soil contains the necessary environment for 1. No infection
eggs to embryonate (2-3 weeks/2-6 weeks). 2. Early infection (no eggs laid yet)
− Infective eggs may remain in outside environment 3. All male worm infection
for years (months to 2 years) and can even survive − Adult worms may be recovered in several
10% formalin fixative. specimen types depending on the severity of
− Eggs that are in infective stage are consumed by infection:
host, and new cycle is initiated. 1. Small intestine
2. Gallbladder
Epidemiology 3. Liver
− Most common intestinal helminth infection in the 4. Appendix
world (affects 1 billion people worldwide, 70% from 5. Gastric Aspirates
Asia). − ELISA test is available.
− Warm climates and areas of poor sanitation are
most effected. Treatment
− Children are particularly vulnerable − Albendazole (alternative: Ivermectin)
− It is suspected that A. lumbricoides may be − Mebendazole
responsible for transmission of D. fragilis. − Pyrantel Pamoate
Epidemiology
− Considered third most common helminth
− Found primarily in warm climates where poor
sanitation practices are common
− Children and those in psychiatric hospitals known
to be at risk for contracting T. trichiura
Clinical Symptoms
− Asymptomatic
− Trichuriasis: whipworm infection
− pathogenesis and severity of the disease are
closely related to the worm burden
− secrete a pore-forming protein, called the TT47
that allows them to imbed their entire whip-like
portion into the intestinal wall.
Life Cycle Notes − Heavy infections (500-5,000 worms) have various
Diagnostic Stage: Embryonated Egg symptoms:
Infective Stage: Egg in stool Abdominal tenderness and pain, weight loss,
MOT: Ingestion weakness, mucoid or bloody diarrhea
− Children who are infected present with symptoms
Egg Adult Worm like ulcerative colitis:
As few as 200 worms can cause chronic
dysentery, severe hypochromic anemia,
and possible growth retardation.
In treated children, catch-up growth is noted.
Increased rectal prolapse (heavy
infection) and peristalsis are common.
Laboratory Diagnosis
− Specimen of choice is stool (DFS/ Kato-thick/
Kato-Katz- for identifying the Cure Rate/ Egg
Reduction Rate)
− Eggs are prominent in infected samples
processed using zinc-sulfate flotation
method/FECT.
− Adult worms may be visible on macroscopic exam.
Treatment
− Mebendazole or albendazole (alternative)
− Eggs are shed in stool, and soil is where the 3. Concentration methods: increase in
rhabditiform larvae emerge. sensitivity
− After two moltings, the third-stage infective 4. Molecular (PCR-based)
filariform larvae can begin a new cycle. 5. ELISA
6. Culture methods (Harada-Mori):
Epidemiology − hatching of larvae from eggs on strips
− 25% of the world’s population is infected with of filter paper with one end immersed
hookworm. in water
− Philippines: 97%-N. americanus, 1%- A. − recommended for species
duodenale, 2%-mixed infections identification
− Local distribution of human hookworm infection is − Recovery and examination of buccal cavity are
greater in agricultural areas. necessary to determine specific hookworm
organism.
Clinical Symptoms Treatment
− Asymptomatic − Albendazole- drug of choice
− Hookworm disease: anclyostomiasis, − Mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate
necatoriasis − MOA: block the uptake of glucose by most
− Intense allergic itching at penetration site (ground intestinal and tissue nematode
itch) − Iron supplementation
− Sore throat
− Bloody sputum Prevention and Control
− Wheezing − Like those of A. lumbricoides
− Headache 1. WASHED
− Mild pneumonia with cough 2. Vaccine development due to drug resistance
− Pneumonitis: decreased sensitization compared
with A. lumbricoides and S. stercoralis. 4. Strongyloides stercoralis
− Mild infection (<500 eggs/g of feces) − Common Name: Thread worm
Mild gastrointestinal symptoms, slight − Smallest nematode infecting man
anemia, weight loss, weakness − Facultative nematode
− Acute infection (>5,000 eggs/g of feces) − Characterized by free-living rhabditiform and
Diarrhea, anorexia, edema, pain, enteritis, parasitic filariform stages
epigastric discomfort − only species of this genus which is naturally
Due to worms competing with body for pathogenic to humans
nutrients, patients may experience
microcytic hypochromic anemia, iron
deficiency, weakness, hypoproteinemia
(hypoalbuminemia), possible mortality from
loss of blood
greater blood loss per worm per day in A.
duodenale infection compared with N.
americanus infection
Laboratory Diagnosis
− Recovery of eggs in stool sample.
1. DFS: is of value only when the infection is
quite heavy
2. Kato thick or Kato-Katz method: increase
detection rates
TRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
Medical Technology Department
NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
Laboratory Diagnosis
− Diagnostic eggs (indistinguishable from
hookworm eggs) may be present in diarrhea.
− Baermann Funnel Technique
− Harada-Mori Culture Method-most successful
− Zinc sulfate concentration = good egg recovery
− Diagnostic rhabditiform larvae recovered in fresh
− Three ways: stool samples and duodenal aspirates.
− Direct − Beale’s string test, duodenal aspiration, and small
Mimics hookworm life cycle except bowel biopsy
rhabditiform larvae are usually passed in the − Serologic tests, including ELISA tests available
stool; eggs are only occasionally found in
such samples. Treatment
− Indirect − Ivermectin
Rhabditiform larvae are passed in outside − Albendazole/ Thiabendazole (contraindicated to
environment and mature into free living pregnant women)
adults that are non-parasitic; may initiate
new indirect cycle. Prevention and Control
− Autoinfection (Internal) − Exercising proper sanitation and personal
Rhabditiform larvae develop inside human hygiene practices
intestines, enter lymphatics or bloodstream, − Avoidance of:
and initiate new cycle. − Defecating directly into the soil
− Using feces as a fertilizer
Epidemiology
− Covering of bare feet and skin from contaminated
− Found predominately in tropical and subtropical
soil
regions of the world and areas of poor sanitation
− In U.S, areas of the South and Appalachian
Mountain region affected
Epidemiology
− Found worldwide, particularly in temperate areas
− Most common helminth known to cause infection
in United States
− May be responsible for the transmission of
Dientamoeba fragilis
Clinical symptoms
− Asymptomatic
− Enterobiasis: pinworm infection
− Intense itching
− Inflammation of anal or vaginal areas
− Intestinal irritation
− Nausea
Life cycle notes − Vomiting
Diagnostic Stage: Embryonated Egg and Adult − Difficulty sleeping
Worm − Can be found in the Lungs and Liver
Infective Stage: Embryonated Egg
MOT: Ingestion, Inhalation, External Autoinfection Laboratory diagnosis
− Specimen of choice is cellophane tape prep
Egg Adult Worm collected from perianal region (Graham’s scotch
adhesive tape swab/ perianal cellulose tape
swab)
− Eggs are found in the feces in only about 5% of
infected persons
− Multiple samples may be required to:
• Confirm the presence of a light infection
• Confirm patient is free from infection
6. Capillaria philippinensis
− Common names: Pudoc Worm, Pudoc Disease/
Mystery Disease (Compostella valley)
− first recorded in a case in Pudoc West, Tagudin,
Ilocos Sur
− close relative of Trichuris trichiura
− one of four Capillaria species that are known to − Female worms produce characteristic eggs, which
infect humans are peanut-shaped with striated shells and
flattened bipolar plugs
− These eggs are passed in the feces and
embryonate in the soil or water.
− They must reach the water in order to be ingested
by small species of freshwater or brackish water
fish
− The eggs hatch in the intestines of the fish and
grow into the infective larvae
− The first generation of female worms produces
larvae to build up the population.
− Some of these larvae are retained in the gut lumen
and develop into adults
Epidemiology
− was first recorded in Northern Luzon in the
Philippines in 1966
− Cases have also been documented in Zambales
and Southern Leyte
TRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
Medical Technology Department
NOTRE DAME OF MARBEL UNIVERSITY
Treatment
1. Mebendazole
2. Albendazole
− Human infection is result of accidental human − No known test is 100% accurate for diagnosis.
infection with a parasite whose normal host is an − Test can lead to false negative results if done too
animal. early.
− Initiated upon consumption of undercooked meat
(striated muscle) that is contaminated. Treatment
− No egg stage in this life cycle; live larvae enter − No medications indicated if person infected has
bloodstream and travel to muscle, where they non-life-threatening strain of disease
encyst nurse cells and over time a granuloma − Prednisone for those with severe infection
form. − Removal of muscle with encysted larvae
− Since humans are not traditional hosts, completion − Thiabendazole
of life cycle does not occur, and cycle ceases.
Prevention and Control
Epidemiology − Thorough cooking of meats
− Found worldwide with the exception of the tropics, − Proper storage of meats at below zero
where it is rarely reported; resistant to colder temperatures
regions − Avoidance of feeding pork scraps to hogs
− Found in pig, deer, bear, walrus, and rat
− In developed areas a major source is
contaminated pork
8. Dracunculus medinensis
− Common Name: Guinea Worm, Fiery Serpent of
Clinical Symptoms the Israelites, Medina Worm, Dragon Worm,
− Asymptomatic Serpent Worm
− Trichinosis/trichinellosis − Longest nematode of man (1 meter)
1. Few hundred larvae:
− can result in gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and
abdominal pain approximately two days post
infection.
2. Infection with 100 to 300 larvae
− may lead to symptomatic trichinellosis, while
3. more than 1,000 to 3,000 larvae
− can result in severe disease.
Laboratory Diagnosis
− Clinical symptoms and patient history are
necessary.
− Examination of affected skeletal muscle is
method of choice for recovery of encysted larvae
(muscle biopsy).
− Immuno tests: Life Cycle Notes
1. Bentonite Flocculation Test (EG/TS) Diagnostic Stage: Removal of adult worm
2. Bachmann Intradermal Test Infective Stage: Larva
3. Beck’s Xenodiagnosis- test animals: Albino MOT: Ingestion of crustacean with larva
mice/rats (TC/TS) Adult: Subcutaneous tissue
− Following mating, the gravid worms migrate into • Step 5: Apply topical antibiotics to ensure
subcutaneous tissue where they lay first-stage no bacterial infection
larvae.
− Fate of adult males is unknown.
− An infected ulcer results at the spot the larvae
deposit.
− Cool water will rupture ulcers and release larvae.
− Copepods living in the water consume them, and
maturation into the third-stage infective form
occurs.
− Ingestion of infected copepod begins cycle again.
Epidemiology
− Guinea worm is found in parts of Africa, India,
Asia, Pakistan, and the Middle East. Prevention and Control
− Ponds, human-made water holes, and standing − Properly treat water before consumption
water serve as sources of infection. − Prohibit practices of drinking and bathing in same
− Numerous reservoir hosts are known water
− Cease the practice of allowing standing water to
Clinical Symptoms be ingested
− Guinea worm infection: dracunculosis, − Educate the entire population in endemic areas
drancunculiasis − Highly unlikely total eradication of guinea worm
• Allergic reaction as migration of organism will ever occur
occurs and a secondary bacterial infection
may occur
• Painful ulcers develop and nodule formation
can occur on the death and calcification of
adult worm
Laboratory Diagnosis
− Recovered by observing infected ulcers for the
emergence of worms
− Induced rupture of infected ulcers under cool
water reveals first-stage larvae
Treatment
− No specific dracunculiasis medicines available
− Successful treatment means total worm removal
• Step 1: Place affected body part in cool
water
• Step 2: Adult worm breaks through blister;
explores water
• Step 3: Clean resulting wound thoroughly
• Step 4: Wind worm around stick to manually
extract
References
Belizario Jr., V. Y., & de Leon, W. U. (Eds.). (2015). Medical Parasitology in the
Philippines (3rd ed.). University of the Philippines Press.
Tille, P. M. (2017). Bailey and Scott’s diagnostic microbiology (14th ed.). Elsevier Inc.
Zeibig, E. A. (2013). Clinical Parasitology: A Practical Approach (2nd ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
Assessment
An online, 50-item quiz will be given and will be accessed using the Learning
Management System.