Threadworm infections

Enterbiasis is an intestinal infection of humans caused by Enterbius vermicularis. The adult female averages 10mm in length and the male 3mm. It is one type of diseases due to infections. They are seen in the caecum, appendix, and the adjacent parts of the colon. The gravid female migrates through the anal canal at night, deposit her eggs on the perianal skin and dies. These eggs are ingested and the larvae released in the small intestine. The larvae migrate down the bowel lumen to reach the caecum and develop into adult worms. Clinical features are follows 1.Humans are usually infected by the direct transfer of eggs from the anus to the mouth by way of contaminated fingers;2.Retroinfection occurs when the eggs latch in the perianal area and the larva migrate back into the bowel lumen; 3. Common symptom is perianal itching especially at night being related to the migration of the gravid female; 4.Other symptom may include irritability, insomnia and enuresis. Effective treatment such as two highly satisfactory drugs is available. Pyrantel pamoate given in a single oral dose of 11mg/kg is the treatment of choice. During this period all night clothes and red linen are laundered and finger nails must be scrubbed before meals.