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Causative Agent
Enterobius vermicularis
Adults establish themselves in the colon, usually in the cecum.
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Division
nematode (roundworm)
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Signs and Symptoms
- 1. Frequently asymptomatic.
- 2. The most typical symptom is perianal pruritus, especially at night, which may lead to excoriations and bacterial superinfection.
- 3. Occasionally, invasion of the female genital tract with vulvovaginitis and pelvic or peritoneal granulomas can occur.
- 4. Other symptoms include, teeth grinding, enuresia, insomnia, anorexia, irritability, and abdominal pain, which can mimic appendicitis.
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Intermediate Host
No Intermediate host indicated.
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Definitive Host
- 1. HUMANS
- 2. Gravid adult female Enterobius vermicularis deposit eggs on perianal folds.
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Transmission
Infection occurs via self inoculation (transferring eggs to the mouth with hands that have scratched the perianal area) or through exposure to eggs in the environment (e.g., contaminated surfaces, clothes, bed linens, etc.)
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Diagnosis
Microscopic identification of eggs collected in the perianal area is the method of choice for diagnosing enterobiasis.
To improve sensitivity, collection should be done in the morning, before defecation and washing, by pressing transparent cellulose tape (“Scotch test”, cellulose tape slide test) on the perianal skin and then examining the tape placed on a microscope slide.
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