References:
- Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network: Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2013 eBook Edition, ISBN 978-1-61755-582-4, by Stephen Berger. Accessed here.
| Agent | PARASITE - Nematoda. Phasmidea: Enterobius vermicularis |
| Reservoir | Human |
| Vector | None |
| Vehicle | Fecal-oral Air Clothing Sexual contact (rare) |
| Incubation Period | 14 to 42 days |
| Diagnostic Tests | Apply scotch tape to anal verge in a.m. and paste onto glass slide for microscopy. |
| Typical Adult Therapy | Albendazole 400 mg PO as single dose - repeat in 2w. OR Mebendazole 100 mg PO as single dose - repeat in 2w. OR Pyrantel pamoate 11 mg/kg (max 1g) PO as single dose |
| Typical Pediatric Therapy | Mebendazole 100 mg PO as single dose (>age 2) - repeat in 2w. OR Pyrantel pamoate 11 mg/kg (max 1g) PO X 1 |
| Clinical Hints | Nocturnal anal pruritus; occasionally vaginitis or abdominal pain; eosinophilia is rarely, if ever, encountered. |
| Synonyms | Enterobio, Enterobius vermicularis, Oxyuriasis, Oxyuris, Pinwom, Seatworm. |
The typical manifestation of enterobiasis is nocturnal pruritus ani related to hypersensitivity to worm antigens.
- Local dermal “tingling” is also encountered.
- Migration of adult females to the vulva may result in vaginal pain and vulvovaginits, or predispose to urinary tract infection.
- Eosinophilia is occasionally present.
Complications are rare, and include salpingitis, cystitis, peritonitis, hepatitis granuloma and urethritis.
- Although abdominal symptoms may mimic those of appendicitis, Enterobius is at least as common in normal as in inflamed appendices.
- Cases of Enterobius prostatitis and peritonitis have been reported.
- Adults and ova of Enterobius have been identified in the kidneys and eyes of infested patients.