Anguillulosis

Definition

Definition of Anguillulosis
Anguillulosis is a parasitosis caused by roundworm. It affects over 50 million people worldwide, occurring mainly in sub-tropical and tropical zones, such as South East Asia, West Indies, Indian Ocean region, Southern Africa and Central & South America. The female roundworm, measuring only 2.55 long, lives in the small intestines of humans. When they lay eggs in the small intestines, they release larvae in their feces. These roundworms reach infectious stage directly after sexual reproduction. When they become infectious, roundworms penetrate skin directly. They could also affect the digestive system and may produce symptoms 30 years after roundworms are reproduced.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Anguillulosis
Symptoms of Anguillulosis include soft stool, abdominal pain and allergies.

Causes

Causes of Anguillulosis
Consult with your doctor.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Anguillulosis
To diagnose Anguillulosis, a parasitological exam of stool is used. The diagnosis depends largely on the microscopic identification of larvae in human stool. The stool can be examined directly, after concentration, after Baermann funnel technique, after culture or after culture via Harada Mori filter paper method. Direct examinations are required for freshly collected stool because roundworm eggs usually hatch on cooling, making larvae difficult to distinguish from “strongyloides”.

Treatment

Treatment of Anguillulosis
The drug of choice for Anguillulosis is ivermectin. However, since this drug does not kill the larvae of adult worms, repeat dosages are required to completely cure the infection. Other drugs that are affective in killing the roundworms are thiabendazole and albendazole.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Anguillulosis
Consult with your doctor.

Prevention

Prevention of Anguillulosis
Consult with your doctor.