Capillaria philippinensis
Capillaria philippinensis
Capillaria philippinensis (pronunciation: ka-pill-aria philippinensis) is a parasitic nematode that causes a severe intestinal infection known as Capillariasis.
Etymology
The name Capillaria philippinensis is derived from the Latin word capillus, meaning hair, and philippinensis, referring to the Philippines, where the parasite was first discovered.
Description
Capillaria philippinensis is a small, hair-like worm. The adult worms live in the small intestine of humans, where they lay eggs that are passed in the feces. The eggs can survive in the environment for long periods and can infect other hosts.
Infection and Symptoms
Infection with Capillaria philippinensis occurs when a person ingests the eggs of the parasite, usually through contaminated food or water. The eggs hatch in the small intestine, releasing larvae that mature into adult worms. The worms can reproduce rapidly, leading to a high parasite load in the intestine.
Symptoms of Capillariasis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition. In severe cases, the infection can lead to complications such as intestinal obstruction and electrolyte imbalance.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of Capillaria philippinensis infection is made by identifying the eggs or adult worms in a stool sample. Treatment typically involves antiparasitic medications, such as Mebendazole or Albendazole.
Prevention
Prevention of Capillaria philippinensis infection involves proper sanitation and hygiene practices, including washing hands before eating and cooking, and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked food that may be contaminated with the parasite's eggs.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Capillaria philippinensis
- Wikipedia's article - Capillaria philippinensis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski