Ascaris larvae require oxygen to develop. Roundworms
Roundworms in the intestine move freely, without being attached to its walls, so they do not remain in the feces after defecation, which significantly complicates the process of primary diagnosis.
Sometimes, during a laboratory test, ascaris eggs are found in the stool, but this always happens, so more effective research methods are used to recognize the disease.
- Raw water from taps, rivers and reservoirs
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Food not thermally processed
- Dirty hands
- Working in unsanitary conditions
Also at risk are gardeners who constantly have direct contact with the ground. In order to avoid illness, they need to be especially careful about hygiene. A child can also become infected with roundworms if helminth eggs are found in a children's sandbox.
How does the life cycle of roundworm proceed in the human body?
Ascaris larvae can infect the brain, lungs, heart, liver, and pancreas. Due to the fact that the larvae, traveling through the capillaries, take a lot of nutrients from the blood and feed on red blood cells, ascariasis is almost always accompanied by anemia.
From the moment the larva forms until it turns into an adult roundworm, it usually takes about two months. Adult roundworms successfully live in the body for up to a year.
Symptoms
As for the general symptoms of helminthic infestation, most often it has the following manifestations:
- Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes (a consequence of anemia)
- Slight yellowness of the sclera
- Decreased appetite, dyspeptic disorders
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain in the abdomen and intestines
- Stomach upsets, diarrhea, constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent diseases of the upper respiratory tract, tendency to colds, infectious diseases
- Shortness of breath, weakness
- Decreased immunity
- Poor sleep, psychoemotional disorders
- Allergic reactions with skin rashes
- Decreased performance and constant fatigue
Diagnostics
The first measures to combat roundworms should be taken when at least several of the described symptoms appear. Self-medication in this case is ineffective and dangerous, so it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible to carry out a diagnosis and determine whether there are special antibodies in the blood that are characteristic of this infection.
In laboratory conditions, the patient’s blood is examined, as well as sputum from the bronchi. An X-ray of the lungs is required to identify the presence of infiltrates. Another technique that allows you to identify the presence of roundworms in the intestines and understand at what stage the disease is is an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
Feces are also examined for the presence of roundworm eggs, but this method is not the main one in recognizing the disease.
Treatment
How dangerous are roundworms?
The life cycle of such a helminth can be represented schematically, and this diagram is very simple:
- egg;
- migratory stage;
- intestinal stage of development.
However, even if the eggs cannot get into a new host, they can live in the soil for 2-3 years.
Features of the development of roundworm
The development cycle of such a helminth is considered a gradual process, which is carried out in two successive stages. Moreover, the duration of each of them can be 3-4 months.
The main stages of development of roundworm include:
- migration;
- intestinal.
For the worm to continue to develop, it will have to penetrate the human digestive system. For infection, helminths use already fertilized eggs, on the surface of which there is a protective shell. They go through several stages of embryogenesis, as a result of which a small tadpole first develops, and then a mature larva appears. It can exist and develop without outside help.
Stages of development of roundworm
The life cycle of roundworm development consists of several stages. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with them in advance in order to better know the features of helminth development.
Migration stage of development
Migration of larvae through various organs
When the larvae emerge from the eggs, they begin to penetrate various organs of the body. First, the pest, 0.3 millimeters in size, penetrates the intestinal walls. With the help of hooks located on the head, they enter the mucous membrane and penetrate the capillaries. This helps young individuals enter the circulatory system, through which they enter the liver. While in this organ, the larvae feed on red blood cells and gradually develop.
Re-ingestion of larvae when coughing
Intestinal stage
In 2-3 days of active feeding, the length of the worm can increase to 30 centimeters in females and 40-45 centimeters in males. When the development of roundworms ends, they begin the reproduction stage. Adults live in the intestines for about 2-3 years, after which they die and pass out of the intestines along with feces.
Development in soil
Young worm eggs begin to develop in early March. However, due to climatic conditions, the dates may be postponed by 10-15 days.
Routes of infection
Water
Research by scientists has repeatedly proven that the helminth can be stored in liquid for a long time. Due to this, the water method of infection is considered one of the most common. Often roundworm larvae and eggs are present in rivers, ponds and lakes. Therefore, doctors do not advise drinking unpurified liquid from water bodies, as this increases the likelihood of infection.
Domestic
Food
You can become infected with roundworms by regularly eating raw meat products or dirty fruits and vegetables. Therefore, doctors do not advise eating food directly from the garden, as it may be contaminated. Before use, they must be washed with water.
What are the consequences of having roundworms in the human body?
In the initial stages of worm development, an infected person exhibits the following signs that indicate the presence of roundworm:
- vomiting with nausea;
- sudden weight loss;
- general weakness;
- dizziness;
- tingling in the intestinal area;
- loss of appetite;
- apathy.
The characteristics of the manifestation of symptoms depend on the number of helminths and the degree of organ damage. For example, if a large number of worms are in the liver, patients develop blood clots in the stool and develop jaundice.
In some patients, due to human roundworm, obstruction occurs, which leads to constipation and abdominal pain.
Reproduction of roundworms
Roundworms, like other types of roundworms, are dioecious. Males have special reproductive tubes that are responsible for releasing sperm. Females have a more complex reproductive system, which consists of an oviparator, uterus, vagina, spermatic receptacle and ovaries. During mating, male and female individuals use special processes that perform the functions of the genital organs. After mating, the seed enters the spermatheca, in which the eggs are fertilized.
Maturation of roundworm eggs
The maturation of helminth eggs is influenced by several factors that should be familiarized with in advance.
Temperature
The rate of egg maturation directly depends on the ambient temperature. Indicators of about 20-25 degrees are considered optimal. In such conditions, worms are able to grow within 10-15 days. However, they also develop at temperatures of 5-10 degrees. With such indicators, the duration of their maturation increases to 30 days.
Soil moisture
Also, the duration of development of roundworm is affected by the level of soil moisture. In the summer, well-moistened soil promotes the maturation of eggs, since low humidity can lead to their death. In spring, when the air temperature is below 30 degrees, eggs develop well even in average humidity.
Oxygen access
The amount of oxygen in the soil can also affect the ripening process. In soils that are saturated with oxygen, the development of roundworm slows down. Their eggs develop better in dense soil with poor air permeability.
While in the intestines, the roundworm is constantly in motion towards the food entering the body. The longitudinal muscles located under the skin of the roundworm are responsible for the movement of the worm itself.
Around the mouth of the worm there are special tactile receptors, which are an important sensory organ for the roundworm.
Reproduction of roundworms
Each of the laid eggs is reliably protected by several layers of a special shell, protecting them from the influence of many factors. Therefore, it is not surprising that the only way to harm laid eggs is by using some kind of solvent or boiling water against them. The bulk of roundworm eggs are excreted from the body along with feces.
Life cycle
Development occurs only after the eggs are in conditions that are comfortable for them. For example, the ambient temperature should be twenty-five degrees Celsius or higher. Only under such conditions, on the sixteenth or seventeenth day of development, a larva will form in the eggs.
However, the development cycle of human roundworm will not end there. Subsequently, it can enter the human body. Moreover, this usually happens due to the latter’s negligence.
Ascaris infection occurs according to the following scheme. Any plant, as well as various vegetables and fruits, are an integral part of the human diet. At the same time, he can eat, often neglecting basic sanitary standards. Picked fruits and vegetables quite often do not undergo pre-processing, but are consumed immediately after they are noticed by a person.
At the same time, cough symptoms that manifested themselves at a certain stage of infection should not only attract your attention, but also be a reason to do the appropriate tests and begin treatment.
Development of roundworm in the intestines
In the intestines it will grow and develop further for almost one year. However, this does not mean that in a year you will be able to feel like a healthy person.
Don't forget that you've probably caught a lot of roundworm eggs and as a result your digestive system may be infested with worms. Digestion itself will be impaired.
Why is this your focus? The point is that the roundworms that have developed in your body will sooner or later begin to lay eggs there. And this is already fraught with the beginning of the spread of infection. However, this should not happen immediately, but only two or even three months after your infection.
All this time, arriving inside the patient’s body, the human roundworm feeds first on blood serum, and as it develops it switches to red blood cells. Such a strange order can be explained extremely simply.
Often, once people start coughing, they don’t attach much importance to it. Thinking that they were struck by an ordinary infection. However, you should not take such things so lightly. Any symptoms, even the most harmless ones, require not only timely diagnosis, but also a course of treatment.
As for roundworms that appear in the patient’s body, they not only cause harm to a whole list of organs, which will be discussed in this article below, but also pose a real threat to human life.
Liver
Considering that the patient’s liver also suffers from roundworms, we will indicate some symptoms associated with it. In particular, these are vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, causeless weight loss, increased salivation, weakness, and various allergic reactions.
Therefore, treatment should be started immediately, as soon as your heart begins to bother you. This organ is not to be trifled with, so under no circumstances should you delay your visit to the doctor.
Lungs
If you noticed that the early symptoms of roundworm infection are coughing, then you probably guessed that the lungs are often affected by roundworms.
However, if timely treatment is not carried out, various complications may develop. Such as pulmonary edema, abscesses and hemorrhage.
Brain
Such a place of establishment of worms threatens a person infected with them with a number of major troubles. The least that can happen in this case is that regular, severe headaches will appear.
However, if roundworms settle between the furrows of the brain, the consequences will be much more serious. There is a high probability of symptoms similar to those of a tumor. An infected person may experience convulsions, periodic loss of consciousness, seizures, dizziness, neuroses and depression. In extremely severe cases, there is a high probability of partial loss of hearing or vision.
The skin of the worm is represented by a dense cuticle. Roundworms do not have organs of locomotion, so they move towards food masses in the intestinal lumen.
Reproduction of roundworms
The reproductive system of the human roundworm is quite complex. The male genital organs consist of a tube with an ejaculatory duct that opens into the cloaca. The female reproductive system consists of the ovaries, oviducts, uterus, spermatic receptacle, oviduct and vagina. Fertilization of the eggs occurs in the spermatic receptacle. Reproduction begins from the moment the male attaches to the female’s body in the area of her annular constriction.
In one day, the female is capable of laying more than two hundred thousand eggs. However, the number of eggs that it secretes over the entire period of its existence is in the tens of millions. The eggs are released into the environment along with the host's feces. They are quite large and oval in shape. Each egg is covered with five shells, which makes them extremely resistant to various environmental influences. They can only be destroyed by direct sunlight, gasoline, alcohol, ether and hot water.
Development and maturation
Further development of helminths occurs in the soil. In order for roundworm larvae to form in eggs, three important conditions are necessary:
- presence of direct access to oxygen;
- high soil moisture;
- air temperature is within 25-27 degrees.
Thus, the larvae are formed by the 16th or 17th day. If the soil temperature is higher or lower, the timing of ripening changes. The minimum temperature at which larvae can develop is twelve degrees, the maximum is about 36 degrees. It should be noted that eggs retain their ability to develop even at sub-zero temperatures.
For further development to occur, the eggs must enter the human body. As a rule, this happens when the rules and standards of personal hygiene are not followed. However, other transmission routes are also known:
- food that has not undergone sufficient heat treatment;
- unboiled water from lakes, rivers and other bodies of water;
- poorly washed vegetables and fruits;
- long periods of work in unsanitary conditions.
Gardeners and other workers who come into direct contact with the ground are at risk. This is due to the fact that it is in the soil that the larvae can survive for a long time.
Migration of larvae
Once in the intestines, the eggs are exposed to aggressive digestive juices. As a result, all five layers of the egg are destroyed, and the larvae emerge into the intestinal lumen. Once in it, they carry out the so-called molting, that is, they are freed from their protective shells. This occurs due to special proteolytic enzymes produced by immature worms.
After molting is completed, the helminths that have not yet formed penetrate deep into the intestinal mucosa and enter the capillaries. From this moment, the migration of larvae throughout the body begins. At the initial stages of its life, the roundworm uses blood serum as food. Subsequently, the helminth begins to eat red blood cells, since they are carriers of oxygen necessary for the further growth of individuals.
Lack of oxygen leads the larvae to the right side of the heart, and from there, through the pulmonary trunk and capillaries, to the alveoli. It is oxygen starvation that forces the larva to migrate for several days in search of lungs. It is noteworthy that the color of helminths directly depends on the amount of oxygen absorbed. The more a worm starves, the paler it becomes.
By the time they enter the pulmonary vesicles, their size is about one millimeter. The accumulation of larvae in the alveoli causes sputum production and, accordingly, cough. Thanks to cough impulses, the larvae, along with sputum, enter the bronchi, trachea and oral cavity, from which they, together with saliva, enter the digestive tract for the second time. This entire process takes almost two weeks.
Once in the intestines, they begin to actively manifest their vital functions. In approximately seventy days, the human roundworm larva transforms into an adult. However, in some cases, larvae are found in stool after just two months. The lifespan of one helminth inside a person ranges from ten months to a year.
The development of roundworm is completed in the small intestine. Here the worm has free access to a large amount of nutrients. As a result of biochemical reactions, the food processed by the roundworm is converted into glycogen, which is used as the only source of energy.
Ascaris infestation causes hypertrophy (thickening) of the intestinal mucosa. As a result, the chemical composition of the contents changes and the motor-secretory activity of the digestive tract is disrupted, which slows down and worsens the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients. In addition, roundworms disrupt the balance of beneficial microflora living in the intestines. Clinically, this is manifested by the phenomenon of dysbacteriosis.
The most dangerous cases are when roundworms begin to develop in other organs - the liver, gall bladder, pancreatic ducts and myocardium. An inflammatory process develops in these organs, masking the helminthic invasion.
Important! A large number of people believe that, having gone through all stages of its life cycle, the roundworm leaves the body and the person recovers. However, this is not the case.
The effect of roundworms on the human body
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Very often, in advanced cases, roundworms accumulate in the lumen of the digestive tract and cause intestinal obstruction. This is a very serious complication that can only be resolved by surgical intervention. Moreover, the severity of the condition is caused not so much by mechanical blockage as by the toxic effects of worms. If help is not provided in time, perforation (perforation) of the intestinal wall may occur with the penetration of roundworms into the abdominal cavity and the development of peritonitis.
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Human roundworm
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Structural features of the human roundworm
The outer layer of the roundworm is made up of hypodermis - its structure resembles epithelial cells, of which there are a significant number - ten layers, which play a protective role and prevent damage to the individual itself and digestion by intestinal enzymes. Under the hypodermis there is a layer of muscle fibers that allow the roundworm to actively move. Further under the muscle fibers there is a cavity that is filled with fluid. This structure allows the worms to maintain a constant body shape and elasticity.
The excretory system of the roundworm is represented by two lateral canals that run along the body and correspond to the length of the roundworm's body. Harmful undigested substances after the intestines enter the cavity filled with liquid, and then into these channels. Near the initial end of the roundworm's body, excretory openings open, which correspond to the excretory organs.
The nervous system of the human roundworm is represented by neural tubes, which are located on the sides of the body; they have connecting elements. This is how the innervation of the sense organs and other internal organs occurs. Sensitive organs are very poorly developed - they are represented by bristles, which are organs of touch.
The species of human roundworm that causes ascariasis is Ascaris lumbricoides, there may only be differences in the length of the individual between males and females.
Life cycle of the human roundworm
Ascaris has a very long life cycle, the peculiarity of which is the change in the location of the individual in the human body. The route of infection by worms from the class Nematodes is the fecal-oral route. The human roundworm belongs to geohelminths because one of its development cycles is in the ground. Thus, infection occurs during ingestion of roundworm eggs. The routes of infection may be the following:
- dirty hands – children are at greater risk due to the fact that they constantly play in the sandbox and eggs can remain under the nails;
- dirty, unwashed vegetables and fruits - during ripening, eggs from the ground can fall on vegetables and berries;
- after animals that have roundworm eggs on their fur - they can be carriers;
- with unboiled water that contains roundworm eggs;
- poorly thermally processed food that does not kill roundworm eggs or larvae.
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of human roundworm
Diagnosis should begin with a thorough history taking. Ascaris, being in the human body for a long time, contributes to the development of symptoms of intoxication, as well as dyspeptic disorders. Therefore, this disease will be accompanied by complaints of poor appetite, rumbling in the stomach, weight loss, and nausea in the morning. If it concerns children, then it is clear that the child is thin, small, pale. A characteristic sign of ascariasis, like any other helminthiasis, is teeth grinding at night while sleeping. If such symptoms have been observed for at least the last few months, then you should think about helminthiasis.
If the larvae of human roundworm enter the liver and lungs during migration, then nonspecific symptoms may occur with disruption of the intrahepatic outflow of bile. In this case, an informative method for identifying the cause of this pathology is an ultrasound examination. Ultrasound in the liver reveals anechoic foci that have clear edges and a round shape. Also, such changes can be detected in the lungs, which makes it possible to suspect the presence of roundworm larvae.
Many of the helminths can cause similar symptoms to those caused by roundworms, so differential diagnosis is necessary. First of all, it is necessary to differentiate between ascariasis and bovine tapeworm.
Although the principles of treatment for different types of helminthiases are similar, there are differences, so it is necessary to accurately differentiate the pathogen.
Treatment and prevention of human roundworm infestation
Treatment of any helminthic infestation should be carried out only in combination with other means that prepare the gastrointestinal tract for deworming. Therefore, it is necessary to start with a diet that cleanses the intestines. It is necessary to completely limit sweet and starchy foods during treatment. It is necessary to eat cereals and cooked vegetables, which stimulate intestinal motility. After this, it is advisable to conduct a course of carrying therapy. To do this, it is necessary to conduct a single course with the use of laxatives. It is better to take herbal preparations with a carrying effect. These include “Senadexin” - a portable remedy based on the leaves of senna - a plant with a laxative effect. After this course of cleansing therapy, they move on to treating the helminthic infestation itself. Antihelminthic drugs are used.
- Pirantel is an anthelmintic drug that acts against human roundworm by depolarizing the membranes of muscle cells of worms, which contributes to the death of mature forms of roundworm. The drug is available in the form of tablets and suspension. The dosage of the drug for children is 250 milligrams up to six years old, and over six years old – 500 milligrams. For adults in the treatment of roundworms, a dose of one gram is recommended, that is, four tablets per dose. Possible side effects from the digestive system in the form of diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, as well as changes in nervous activity in the form of dizziness, drowsiness, increased excitability, paresthesia.
- Wormil is an anthelmintic drug whose main active ingredient is albendazole. The mechanism of action of the drug is to disrupt the metabolism of roundworm cells. The advantage of this remedy is that albendazole acts both on the intestinal form, that is, on the adult, and on larvae and eggs. The drug is available in the form of chewable tablets and suspension. The dosage of the drug is one tablet at a dose of 400 milligrams once a day, the course of treatment is three days. Possible side effects of the drug in the form of drowsiness, dizziness, decreased performance, as well as dyspeptic symptoms.
Prevention of infection with human roundworm can be specific and nonspecific. Specific prevention is the use of anthelmintic drugs that have activity against roundworms for prophylactic purposes. To do this, it is necessary to take anthelmintic drugs twice a year; for children, half the therapeutic doses can be recommended. You can use any anthelmintic drugs - mebendazole, albendazole, Pyrantel.
Nonspecific prophylaxis should be used by all people, especially children should be monitored. Before eating, be sure to wash your hands; fruits and vegetables should also be washed before eating. As for water and food, it is better for children not to drink water raw, but to allow food to undergo sufficient heat treatment. For good digestion and reducing the possibility of roundworm infestation, proper nutrition is necessary, which increases local immunity and the anthelmintic capabilities of the intestines.
Life cycle of human roundworm
A characteristic feature of the causative agents of ascariasis in humans (Ascaris lumbricoides) is that they do not have intermediate hosts. The only place where helminths are localized is the internal environment of the human body. A female roundworm can lay more than 250,000 eggs per day. They have an oval shape and are covered with a durable protective shell on top. The removal of roundworm at any stage of development from the human body occurs along with feces.
Helminth larvae have powerful protection against mechanical and chemical damage caused by environmental factors. Before entering the human body, adult individuals undergo a period of incomplete development in soil or water. The most favorable temperature for the full development of larvae in the soil is 25 degrees. If there are optimal conditions for survival, mature roundworm larvae can remain in the ground for 15 years, waiting for their owner.
Life cycle stages
Adult worms live in the lumen of the small intestine. Their lifespan ranges from 10 months to two years, after which they, or rather their remains, are excreted in the feces. The eggs of any roundworm (not just human ones) leave the body of the final host along with the feces. If during the course of the infection only a female lives in the body, then her eggs are infertile, and if only males, then the eggs do not come out at all.
Initially, fertilized eggs do not pose a threat, since they are still immature, and therefore non-invasive (non-contagious). First, the larvae should mature in them within about two weeks in the presence of a sufficiently warm and humid environment. During this process, the embryo goes through several stages: morula, gastrula, tadpole, larva. After this, the egg must be swallowed by the future owner, which usually happens along with contaminated food or water.
The entire life cycle of development of the human roundworm in the host’s body can be divided into two global stages:
- stage of helminth migration;
- intestinal stage.
Migration stage
Once in the lumen of the human intestine, helminth larvae are freed from the protective shell and become about 0.2 mm long. The implementation of this process occurs due to the release of its own enzymes that can dissolve the outer coating. The presence of a special uncinate process makes it possible to firmly attach to the mucous membrane of the small intestine, after which it pierces it and enters the bloodstream. Studies have also shown that the migration of roundworm larvae is facilitated by the release of an enzyme related to hyaluronidases, which dissolves vascular tissue.
The penetration of helminths into the bloodstream causes their spread throughout the body. One of the first target organs is the liver. Then, after migrating to the heart, enter the pulmonary circulation, thanks to which it reaches the lungs. The larvae need oxygen to fully mature. Unlike mature worms, which this gas kills and this is one of the treatment methods.
The larva thus returns to the small intestine, where it grows until it becomes an adult. But this is already the intestinal stage.
This complex process of helminth maturation is an integral part of their life. The duration of the migration phase for ascariasis is on average 14-15 days.
Intestinal stage
The main parameter characterizing this stage is the maturation of roundworm larvae and their transformation into an adult. At the same time, the worms reach impressive sizes - females become up to 40 cm long with a diameter of 5 mm, and males - 25 cm and 3 mm, respectively.
They then live, mate and lay eggs inside the intestines for up to 1.5 years.
The duration of the disease is due to constant self-infection. Since reproduction within the host is not possible for roundworms, as is the case for most other worms.
Considering this factor, a person may suffer from ascariasis for several years.
From the moment an roundworm egg enters the human body until the first egg laying by an adult female, an average of 80 days pass.
There is an opinion that after the end of the life cycle, helminths independently leave the human body. This statement is wrong. Such migration paths of roundworms determine their uniform distribution throughout the body. Therefore, the appearance of combined inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, heart, and lungs is not accidental. Among the main clinical manifestations of ascariasis are myocarditis, pneumonia, bronchitis, jaundice, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Species and life cycle of roundworms
Species of helminths
Ascariasis in humans is caused by worms of the nematode class - roundworms.
The photo above shows a female and male roundworm, the size of which is more than 10 cm.
Structural features of roundworms
The roundworm's body shape is fusiform. On the sides along the body of the worm, two black lines are clearly visible. The dorsal and ventral lines are not visible so clearly. The head section of the roundworm is thickened. The mouth opening is surrounded by three lips, which are crowned with tooth-shaped processes. On the pointed and conically twisted caudal section of the female, two papillae are symmetrically located. In males, the tail is hook-shaped, bent towards the abdominal part. The male, like the female roundworm, has many cuticular papillae located in the back of the body.
Worm eggs with larvae are characterized by an oval shape and dimensions of 45–65x35–45 microns. Around the embryo is a brownish, coarsely lumpy protein sphere. Under the protective ball there is a fertilized cell that occupies the space of the cyst. The twisted larva is stored in the ripe shell. Sometimes roundworm larvae without fasciola are found in the external environment. It is much more difficult to identify larvae in this form, because in appearance they resemble translucent plant cells. They are invisible even under a microscope, so they are difficult to identify.
During the movement of nematode larvae through the circulatory system, they enter the respiratory organs, where the life cycle of the helminth begins, or are localized in the intestines. During the migration period, larvae, whose length at this stage is 2 mm, are diagnosed in blood, sputum, and pharyngeal swabs.
Movement of free-living nematodes
Infection of the human body occurs when fasciolae enters a person along with contaminated food and water. The larvae move around inside the body until they reach their localization site. So, having entered the gastrointestinal tract, the worms drill holes in the wall of the small intestine, through which they enter the abdominal cavity and reach the organs. Sometimes nematode larvae migrate through the circulatory system, as a result of which, moving through the veins of the pulmonary circulation, they enter the respiratory system. In the lungs, worms from the blood migrate into the pulmonary vesicles, alveoli, and nasopharynx, from where they again enter the esophagus and move toward the small intestine.
Only after going through a closed cycle of migration, the larvae that have passed through the circle, once again entering the intestine, are localized in it, where they grow. Having reached sexual maturity, they reproduce and lay eggs.
The presence of factors positive for the development of roundworm promotes the formation of a full-fledged larva by 15-18 days from the moment it enters the ecosystem.
Development cycles of roundworms
Stages of nematode migration: larval stage
Once in the small intestine, the larvae get rid of protective capsules and cysts. In medicine, this process is called molting. Having chosen the right moment, the larva, which has not yet reached sexual maturity, secretes a special enzymatic substance that dissolves the cyst and allows the larva free access to the environment.
Stages of nematode migration: intestinal stage
From the moment the helminths enter the body until the first laying of eggs by female roundworms, 2–4 months pass.
Lack of oxygen stimulates the larva, even at the first stage, to instinctively look for a source of oxygen, moving towards the respiratory organs. An ideal environment for growing up. The more nematodes feed on oxygen, the brighter the color of its body. In some individuals, a red color of the shell is observed. Deprived of oxygen, non-viable helminths acquire a pale, almost white color.
Many are confident that worms, having gone through each stage of the life cycle, leave their usual habitat. This is a misconception. It is because of double migration that the larvae spread evenly throughout the body. Thus, they can enter any part of the body and affect organs or even their systems. Therefore, helminthiases are characterized by abscesses and inflammations that occur:
- in the organs of the endocrine system;
- in the heart muscles;
- in the respiratory system;
- in the digestive system.
The clinical manifestations of these processes have been studied and established as follows:
- jaundice;
- myocarditis;
- bronchitis;
- types of pneumonia;
- pancreatitis and other liver diseases;
- internal bleeding;
- organ ruptures;
- necrosis.
Stages of nematode migration: reproduction stage
The organs of the reproductive system are represented in the form of a tube by the ejaculatory duct, the opening of which passes into the cloaca.
The reproductive system of female roundworms is more complex. The reproductive organs of female roundworms include:
- ovaries;
- oviducts;
- seminal receptacle;
- uterus;
- oviparator;
- vagina.
Remember the dangers that helminths pose and do not forget that sometimes you have to pay with your life for neglecting your health. Ascariasis is a prime example of this.
Roundworms in children
- Treatment of ascaridiosis
- Additional points
Roundworms in children are quite common, especially in early preschool and school age. Most often they appear in children attending kindergarten, school and other places with large crowds of people.
Main characteristics
Adult roundworms in children can reach 15-40 cm in length. Moreover, females are much longer and thicker than males.
Ascaridiosis is the migration of larvae through the esophagus into the cavity of the small intestine, where they begin life and reproduction, causing an allergic reaction and discomfort.
In 3 months, roundworms go through a full development cycle from larvae to adults. During development, the larvae migrate through the veins and arteries, may end up in the liver, in the right half of the heart, in the lungs, move to the bronchi, rise along them, and then up the pharynx into the oral cavity and are swallowed back together with saliva. Very often this process is accompanied by a dry cough that comes from nowhere, sometimes the larvae with sputum are spat out.
Adults settle in the small intestine, irritating its mucous membrane, releasing toxins from the decay products of their secretions, primarily traumatizing the child’s psyche and causing unpleasant and painful sensations. Roundworms can injure the small intestine and bile ducts, leaving ulcerations and minor damage to them through constant movement inside.
- migration;
- intestinal.
Symptoms of roundworm infection:
- sharp abdominal pain;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- lack of appetite or its perversion;
- seizures of an epileptic nature;
- restless interrupted sleep;
- memory disorder;
- nervousness, bad mood;
- weakness, malaise;
- enlarged liver, impaired general physical condition;
- swelling of the lymph nodes.
Roundworms in children can be detected when stool is tested for the presence of eggs secreted by adult females. And also found in sputum, when worms come out through the mouth or through the anus in feces.
Sources of infection with mature roundworm eggs
Once in the external environment, the eggs reach a period of maturation in the ground - the invasive stage. After this, they can be on the surface of fruits, vegetables, and berries.
They can easily get into the mouth along with street sand, from dirty hands, from where they are sent through the digestive system to the small intestine.
Consequences of infection and lack of treatment for ascaridiosis in children:
- intestinal obstruction;
- obstructive jaundice due to the presence of larvae in the bile ducts;
- acute pancreatitis;
- liver abscess;
- pneumonia;
- purulent cholangitis.
Treatment of ascaridiosis
But you should not self-medicate; only a doctor will be able to select effective doses of drugs that do not harm the child’s already weakened body, but can destroy roundworms and their larvae without the risk of their reappearance.
Usually, treatment is prescribed simultaneously to all members of the family in which the child has been infected with roundworms in order to protect him from re-infection and for preventive purposes.
Additional measures for disinfecting the premises if a child has roundworms during treatment:
- Always keep the child in tight-fitting panties, diapers, and tights to prevent the release of helminth eggs.
- Do not allow a small child to touch or scratch the anus.
- Do not put your hands or other things in your mouth that may have roundworm eggs on them.
- Wash bed linen at high temperature in a washing machine immediately before the start of therapy and after its completion, as well as all items of clothing not only for the child, but also for all family members.
- Mandatory washing of the entire house and furniture using a soap solution or a special detergent added to water. Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of switches, door and furniture handles, and children's toys. You should also wipe all surfaces touched by the infected child, disinfect dishes, bath accessories, bottles and pacifiers.
- Soft toys can either be washed, and if they cannot withstand high temperatures, they should be placed in a tightly sealed bag and exposed to the sun for at least 3 weeks so that the roundworm eggs die.
Measures to prevent infection of children with roundworms
- Mandatory thorough hand washing with soap before any food intake. Proper hand washing, which truly destroys all germs, should last at least 2-3 minutes after soaping them by thoroughly beating the foam and scrubbing the surface of the hands, after which you can rinse them under running water.
- Discouraging children from licking dirty fingers, toys, and other household items that may harbor roundworm eggs.
- Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them raw, and if necessary, pour boiling water over them.
- Maintain basic hygiene after visiting the toilet.
- Regularly trimming children's nails, preventing dirt, sand particles, and ascaris eggs from accumulating under them.
Many parents and even some doctors believe that timely prevention with the help of special medications can protect the child’s body from the entry and development of roundworms.
Sometimes ascaridiosis can be confused with giardiasis, since the symptoms of the diseases are quite similar.
But there are significant differences.
Giardia is a protozoan, meaning it is not a worm or a microbe. Giardia was first seen after the invention of the microscope in the 17th century.
Infection occurs through insufficiently chlorinated water, from person to person. Previously it was believed that they could cause liver damage and cholecystitis - damage to the gallbladder. But now scientists have found that when Giardia gets into the liver or gall bladder, they die, and their ideal place of residence is the small intestine.
Basically, in modern medicine, when Giardia cysts (eggs) are found in tests, treatment should not be prescribed without fail, but only if there are real symptoms and indications.
In fact, Giardia is not dangerous and does not bring any particular troubles or diseases to the child in whom it lives compared, for example, with worms or roundworms.
About 30% of people around the world are asymptomatic carriers of Giardia, without even knowing it. And while they do not know this, it does not cause any inconvenience or harm to the person. In the United States, the principle is not to touch or drive away these creatures.
By the way, Giardia can live in the small intestine not only in humans, but also in dogs. Timely prevention is the most effective and safe means against infecting children with helminthiasis. Maintaining personal hygiene and hand washing is a mandatory activity that should be taught to children from a very early age.
Roundworms are a type of roundworm whose body is a pointed, spindle-shaped worm. The male roundworm is smaller in size than the female. If the size of a male roundworm reaches about 25 cm with a width of 2 to 4 mm, then the female grows up to 40 cm, and its width is also larger - it can reach up to 6 mm.
Size is not the only difference between a female and a male. They have a different structure of the tail - in males it bends in the form of a hook.
Life cycle
The life cycle of the human roundworm lasts about one year.
Worm eggs leave the body along with feces. Under suitable conditions, they can survive in the external environment for quite a long time, in some cases even up to 10 years.
A warm and humid environment is considered favorable. Eggs die when water boils - they cannot withstand temperatures above 40 degrees. They also cannot tolerate low temperatures - frost below 15-20 degrees is destructive for them. In hot countries with poor sanitary conditions, up to 100 individuals can be found in one kilogram of soil.
The roundworm's life cycle begins when the larva develops from the egg. This process occurs in the intestines. The diagram of the entire life cycle of this type of helminth is as follows:
- the larva ends up in the intestinal mucous tissues;
- through mucous tissues and capillaries located in them, it is directed to the liver;
- with the bloodstream it penetrates the right heart segment and then rushes to the lungs;
- the further path of the larva passes through the bronchi and trachea;
- Then it enters the pharynx, where it is swallowed and re-enters the intestines.
When the larva enters the intestine for the second time, it becomes a sexually mature individual. The average time for roundworms to mature is two weeks. It is in the intestines that roundworms begin to lay eggs, which can be found in excrement.
A vicious circle of migration throughout the human body is called ascariasis in medicine. In terms of its symptoms, this disease is similar to bronchial asthma or pneumonia, with elements of allergic manifestations.
The patient develops the following symptoms:
- a person begins to lose weight for no apparent reason;
- sharp pain occurs in the umbilical cord area;
- the quality of vision decreases;
- headache;
- milk intolerance;
- the patient is bothered by a cough, small roundworms are sometimes found in the sputum;
- increased salivation.
Roundworms can penetrate absolutely any part of the body and cause inflammation there. They can cause exacerbation of appendicitis, as well as provoke cholecystitis or cholangitis, inflammation of the lungs and kidney tissue.
How does infection occur?
Worm eggs are not only found in the soil - you can become infected with them by touching a door handle in public places. Eggs can be found on money, dirty vegetables and fruits, on pieces of furniture in crowded places (schools, kindergartens, cafes, restaurants, offices) and other places with high traffic.
The simplest method is to find them in the stool. It will not be possible to see helminth eggs in feces - they are small in size and can only be visualized under a microscope.
But at the same time, roundworms begin to actively emerge naturally only during the period of treatment with anthelmintic drugs. If such therapy is not carried out, then they may not be detected in the stool.
If an illness of an unknown nature appears, it makes sense to consult a doctor for diagnosis and advice. The main types of research in this case are blood and stool tests.
One of the main preventive measures for roundworm infection is cultivating the soil in garden plots and children's sandboxes. The soil and sand should be loosened and dug up - roundworm eggs die when exposed to direct sunlight.
After visiting public places, you must wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. Fruits and vegetables should also be washed well after purchase. It is not recommended to drink unboiled water.