Helminthes: Aetiology, Transmission, Clinical Manifestation Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Helminthes, focusing on their aetiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, preventive measures, and treatment options. The report begins with an introduction to Helminthes as multicellular parasitic worms, highlighting examples like threadworm and tapeworm and their impact on hosts. It delves into the aetiology and transmission of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), detailing its life cycle and the risk factors associated with infection. The clinical manifestations, primarily affecting children, are discussed, including symptoms like itching, loss of appetite, and potential complications like appendix blockage and cognitive impairment. The report then explores preventive measures such as regular handwashing, proper hygiene, and deworming of pets. Finally, it outlines treatment options using medications like mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate. The report concludes with recommendations for preventing Helminthes infections, emphasizing hygienic practices and regular washing of clothes and hands.

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Helminthes
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Abstract
Helminth infection mainly occurs in children and leads to irritation, loss of weight and appetite
and restlessness. There are several risk factors of infection and the most important one is such as
unhygienic practice of not washing hands. Helminthiasis may also lead to a blockage in the
appendix. It may also lead to chronic illness in patient due to a lack of nutrition such as vitamin,
protein in the body which results in weakness and improper growth. It can also lead to improper
cognitive functions which results in poor performance in studies and a lack of concentration in
children. Infection caused due to helminthes can be cured by taking medications such as
mebendazole, piperazine, pyrvinium and pyrantel pamoate.There are certain preventive measures
such as washing hands regularly,proper washing of clothes and bed sheets and maintaining a
hygienic practice in order to prevent from getting infected by Helminthes.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................3
2. Findings.......................................................................................................................................3
Aetiology and the source of transmission....................................................................................3
Clinical Manifestation.................................................................................................................4
Prevention....................................................................................................................................4
Treatment.....................................................................................................................................4
3. Discussion....................................................................................................................................5
4. Conclusion...................................................................................................................................5
5. Recommendations........................................................................................................................6
6. References....................................................................................................................................7

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1. Introduction
Helminthes are multicellular organisms that are large in size and can be observed through
naked eyes after getting matured. They are also called as parasitic worms. A large number of
helminthes belong to the category of intestinal parasites as they live inside the intestine of human
beings and other animals. Examples of helminthes are threadworm, ascaris, tapeworm etc. They
feed on hosts that are living and receive nutrition and protection when they disrupt the absorption
of nutrition from hosts (Bennett, Dolin & Blaser, 2014).This results in several diseases and
infections in the host. There are not many infections due to Helminthes in Australia but most
individuals get infected from threadworm, Enterobius vermicularis. The following research
report demonstrates the aetiology, transmission of infection, clinical manifestation, prevention of
infection from helminthes and future issues.
2. Findings
Aetiology and the source of transmission
Enterobius vermicularis or pinworm is a nematode with a pointed tail and is found in the
temperate regions around the world and is most commonly found in Australia. Its transmission
occurs through a direct contact with towels, bed sheets knobs of doors and other things. It can
also be transmitted through sexual contact. When an infection through pinworm occurs it results
in a prickling sensation in the perianal area, which occurs when a female pinworm moves to the
anal area of the host mainly during the night. Enterobius vermicularis resides in the small
intestine majorly in the ileocecal area. It leads to infection and results in diarrhea due to the
swelling in the wall of bowel. There are several risk factors of infection and the most important
one is such as unhygienic practice of not washing hands.

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Clinical Manifestation
Enterobius vermicularis mainly affects children in the age group of 5-10 years and they
do not experience any specific symptoms except itching around the anal part in the body. In girls
it leads to vaginal itching. Individuals affected with enterobiasis severely suffer from irritation,
loss of weight and appetite and restlessness. Enterobius vermicularis may also lead to a blockage
in the appendix. Helminthiasis may also lead to chronic illness in patient due to a lack of
nutrition such as vitamin, protein in the body which results in weakness and improper growth. It
can also lead to improper cognitive functions which results in poor performance in studies and a
lack of concentration in children (Strunz, et al., 2014).
Prevention
It is important to wash hands regularly especially after going to the washroom before
eating anything to prevent from getting infected by Helminthes (Hoffmann, Brindley &
Berriman, 2014).Children should keep their nails short to lower down the chance of getting
infected by the eggs of helminthes. Clothes and bed sheets and all the toys of children should be
washed regularly in order to make sure that all the eggs are killed. Other preventive measures
may include deworming of pets on a regular basis and appropriate disposal of fecal matter
(Mishra et al., 2014).
Treatment
Infection caused due to helminthes can be cured by taking medications such as
mebendazole, piperazine, pyrvinium and pyrantel pamoate. A single dose of both mebendazole
and pyrantel pamoate are given and the process is repeated in 2 weeks which would lead to the
death of eggs which are newly ingested (Grencis, 2015).Oxamnquine is use largely in

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programmes related to mass deworming. Macrocyclic lactones (such as ivermectin) can be used
in preventing infection from nematodes. Artimisinins and its derivatives are being used widely
for treating trematodiasis.
3. Discussion
There are different preventive measures by the two authors in order to cure infection from
helminthes according to this report. According to Hoffmann, Brindley & Berriman,
2014,washing hands regularly especially after going to the washroom and before having lunch or
dinner is one the best ways to prevent infects from different types of helminthes such as
tapeworm, ascaris (roundworm) and pinworm. It is advised to parents to cut the nails of their
children regularly to lower down the chance of getting infected by the eggs of helminthes and
leading to different symptoms. On the other hand, Mishra et al., 2014 , advises all the parents to
wash clothes and bed sheets and all the toys of their children regularly in order to make sure that
all the eggs are killed. According to them, deworming of pets on a regular basis and appropriate
disposal of fecal matter is also one of the most widely used preventive measure to prevent getting
affected from helminths.
4. Conclusion
Helminthes are multicellular organisms that are large in size and can be observed
through naked eyes after getting matured. This results in several diseases and infections in the
host. Its transmission occurs through a direct contact with towels, bed sheets knobs of doors and
other things. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact. A single dose of both
mebendazole and pyrantel pamoate are given and the process is repeated in 2 weeks which

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would lead to the death of eggs which are newly ingested. Oxamnquine is use largely in
programmes related to mass deworming.
5. Recommendations
Regular washing of hands before eating and after going to washroom to avoid infection from
helminthes.
Regular washing of clothes and bed sheets and maintain a hygienic practice to prevent getting
from getting infected.

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6. References
Bennett, J. E., Dolin, R., & Blaser, M. J. (2014). Principles and practice of infectious diseases.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Grencis, R. K. (2015). Immunity to helminths: resistance, regulation, and susceptibility to
gastrointestinal nematodes. Annual review of immunology, 33, 201-225.
Hoffmann, K. F., Brindley, P. J., & Berriman, M. (2014). Halting harmful
helminths. Science, 346(6206), 168-169.
Mishra, P. K., Palma, M., Bleich, D., Loke, P., & Gause, W. C. (2014). Systemic impact of
intestinal helminth infections. Mucosal immunology, 7(4), 753.
Strunz, E. C., Addiss, D. G., Stocks, M. E., Ogden, S., Utzinger, J., & Freeman, M. C. (2014).
Water, sanitation, hygiene, and soil-transmitted helminth infection: a systematic review
and meta-analysis. PLoS medicine, 11(3), e1001620.

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