This document discusses helminthic infections, which contribute significantly to the global disease burden. It covers the pathogenesis, modes of infection, clinical features, investigations, and preventive measures for helminthic infections. Helminths mature into adult worms in humans and produce eggs and larvae that pass out of the body to infect secondary hosts. They cause mechanical interference, deprive the host of nutrients, and can induce hypersensitivity reactions and tissue damage. People become infected through ingesting contaminated material, skin penetration, or ingesting an intermediate host. Clinical features vary by worm but include abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, and pruritus. Investigations involve examining stool, blood, or tissue samples. Preventive measures center around proper

1. HELMINTHIOSIS

2. INTRODUCTION
• Helminthic infestations contribute significantly to
global burden of disease.
• Humans are the primary hosts for the most of
helminthic infections.
• Most worms produce in human sexually by producing
eggs and larvae.
• These pass out of body and infect the secondary host.
• Immature forms invade humans via skin or GIT and
mature to adult worms with characteristic tissue
distribution.
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3. PATHOGENESIS
• Hookworm suck‐0.03‐0.15ml/worm/day
• Mechanical interference‐intestinal obstruction
‐hydatid cyst
• Round worms deprive the host of the nutrients
‐cysticercoids
• Hypersensitivity reaction‐tissue damage
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4. MODE OF INFECTION
• Through ingestion of fecal contaminated material.
e.g. A.lumbricoides, enterobius vermicularis,
H.nana,T.solium/T.saginata
• By piercing the skin.
e.g Hookworm, Schistosomiasis, Strongaloides
• By ingestion through intermediate host.
e.g. Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculosis medinensi
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5. CLINICAL FEATURES
• Abdominal pain – Ascaris, Hook worm
• Cough – Ascaris, P.Westermani
• Diarrhea – Schistosoma
• Dysentery – E.Coli, Schistosoma
• Dysuria – Entrobius
• Headache –T.Solium
• Pruritus – Entrobius, Filaria, Hookworm
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6. INVESTIGATIONS
•Gastrointestinal Worms
• Sedimentation method
•Stool for Ova & Cyst
• Concentration method
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•Anal Swab
•Stool Culture
•Systemic Worms
Peripheral smear –Thik,Thin
DEC Provocation test‐ Microfilaria

7. PREVENTIVE MEASURES
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• Proper disposal of feces
• Personal protection
‐food
‐water
‐skin
• Diminishing the reservoir of infection
• Health education: Personal Hygiene
• Personal hygiene:
• Wash hands after defecation
• Nail cutting
• Daily bath
• Avoid scratching perianal region
• IEC