Ascariasis

Ascariasis, also known as roundworm, is an intestinal infection caused by the parasitic worm Ascaris lumbricoides, and is part of a family of parasites known as the soil-transmitted helminths. Ascariasis is most prevalent in warm tropical and sub-tropical climates in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, and it flourishes in areas with poor sanitation or where crops are irrigated by improperly treated wastewater. Ascariasis is the most common human worm infection. More than 807 million people worldwide are infected with ascariasis, and more than 60,000 die from the disease annually.

Ascariasis is transmitted by accidental ingestion of ascaris eggs through contaminated food, water or soil. Once the eggs are swallowed, they are passed into the intestine where they hatch into larvae. The larvae migrate through the body and into the bloodstream where they can cause severe coughing and wheezing; they are eventually swallowed and return to the small intestine where they mature and lay eggs--sometimes up to 240,000 per day. Ascaris eggs are passed into the feces and incubate in the soil for a minimum of two weeks before the cycle begins again.

Adult roundworms can live in the body for one to two years, and grow as long as twelve inches and as wide as a pencil. Ascariasis can be initially asymptomatic, and is sometimes detected by observing the presence of worms in the stool. In severe cases, ascariasis can cause intestinal blockage and obstruction, particularly in children. Ascariasis cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Quick Facts

Ascariasis is the world’s most common worm infection, affecting over 807 million people.

A 2001 WHO resolution targeted the deworming of 75 percent of all at-risk children by 2010, the largest public health program attempted to date

Disease Impact

Ascariasis is the most common worm infection in the world
Nearly one-eighth of the world’s population is afflicted with ascariasis

Prevalence

807 million people infected worldwide
Most common in warm, tropical and sub-tropical environments
Often found in developing areas of the world where poor or substandard sanitation, crowded living conditions and poverty persist

Risk Factors

Warm tropical or sub-tropical climates
Rural or overcrowded living areas with poor sanitation
Farming practices utilizing improperly treated wastewater or human feces as fertilizer
Young children ages 3 – 8 years

Symptoms

Worms in stool
Coughing, sometimes accompanied by coughing up of worms
Wheezing
Fever & vomiting
Loss of appetite
Shortness of breath
Swelling of the abdomen & severe abdominal pain
Malnutrition, anemia and impaired physical growth, particularly in children
Intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction (in severe cases)
Pneumonia (in rare cases)

Control Efforts

In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a resolution aimed at the “deworming” of 75 percent of all at-risk school-age children by 2010, the largest public health program ever attempted to date. The program is currently underway and has been able to achieve some success in reducing the severity of worm infections in some areas, particularly in Africa. Education efforts aimed at prevention though proper sanitation, hand washing and food preparation techniques are also critical to reducing incidence of the disease.