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Intestinal Parasites

Daniela Lobo, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

  • Parasitic infections, caused by intestinal helminths (worm-like parasites) and protozoan parasites cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide particularly in low- and middle-income cou...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Consider patient’s exposure risk (international travel history or residence in areas where parasites are endemic), mechanism(s) of transmission, and immune status.

  • In the United States...

TREATMENT

  • Treatment is based on the type of intestinal parasite.

  • Mebendazole, albendazole, and piperazine are first-line agents for helminthiasis

  • For schistosomiasis and tapeworms the treatment of choic...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • For most infections, testing for clearance is not indicated.

  • Consequences of intestinal parasitic infections include lactose intolerance, irritab...

REFERENCES

1
Haque R. Human intestinal parasites. J Health Popul Nutr. 2007;25(4):387–389.  
2
Kucik C, Martin G, Sortor B. Common intestinal parasites. Am Fam Physician. 2004;69(5):1161–1169
3
 Thome J, W...

ADDITIONAL READING

CDC. DPDx—Resources for Parasitic Diseases. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/reference.html. Accessed December 11, 2022.  

CODES

ICD10

  • B82.9 Intestinal parasitism, unspecified

  • A07.9 Protozoal intestinal disease, unspecified

  • B82.0 Intestinal helminthiasis, unspecified

  • B80 Enterobiasis

  • B71.9 Cestode infection, unspecified

  • B66.9 F...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Parasites are relatively common in patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms and a pertinent history of travel, recent immigration, daycare, chronic diarrhea, or visible prese...

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