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Helminth Parasitic Infection

John P Barrett, MD, MPH, MS Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Helminth (“worm”) is a generic term. Multiple wormlike invertebrate parasites infect humans:

    • Nematodes: roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), hookworm (Nec...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and symptoms depend on the specific helminth, location of infection, and intensity of infection.

  • Infections can be acute or chronic. Some are asymptomatic for years.

HISTORY

  • Elicit histor...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

First Line

  • Nematodes (1)[A]:

    • A. lubricoides: albendazole 400 mg PO single dose or mebendazole 100 mg PO BID for 3 days or 500 mg PO for 1 day

    • T. trichiura: albendazole 400 mg PO QD f...

ONGOING CARE

PROGNOSIS

  • Most helminth parasitic infections have an excellent prognosis with appropriate treatment.

  • Schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, neurocysticercosis, cystic and alveolar echinococ...

REFERENCES

1
Moser  W, Schindler  C, Keiser  J. Efficacy of recommended drugs against soil transmitted helminths: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ.  2017;35...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

Intestinal Parasites; Pinworms; Roundworms, Intestinal; Roundworms, Tissue; Trichinellosis 

CODES

ICD10

  • B83.9 Helminthiasis, unspecified

  • B82.0 Intestinal helminthiasis, unspecified

  • B66.9 Fluke infection, unspecified

  • B77.9 Ascariasis, unspecified

  • B71.9 Cestode infection, unspecified

  • B74.9 Filariasi...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Helminths are a major cause of NTDs worldwide.

  • Helminth infections are more common in travelers, recent entrants, especially children, and global communities with unproven sanitation re...

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