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Gastroenterology Clinics of North... Jun 2020Hepatosplenic candidiasis and other fungal infections of the liver are uncommon in healthy individuals; however, high index of suspicion is essential in... (Review)
Review
Hepatosplenic candidiasis and other fungal infections of the liver are uncommon in healthy individuals; however, high index of suspicion is essential in immunocompromised patients with prolonged fever. Parasitic infections are protozoan or helminthic; their distribution and epidemiology are variable among different world regions. Clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, and ascariasis are helminthic infections that commonly involve the biliary systems. Signs and symptoms of cholangitis require prompt management to relieve biliary obstruction; addition of antihelminthic agents is essential. Parasitic infections are mostly transmitted to humans by fecally contaminated food and water. Proper hand and food sanitation measures are essential in preventing disease transmission.
Topics: Anthelmintics; Ascariasis; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Cholestasis; Clonorchiasis; Fascioliasis; Fever; Helminthiasis; Hepatitis; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Mycoses; Opisthorchiasis
PubMed: 32389369
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.01.009 -
Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology :... 2017
Topics: Acute Disease; Ascariasis; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Humans; Pancreatitis
PubMed: 28937027
DOI: 10.4103/sjg.SJG_301_17 -
Trends in Parasitology Mar 2021Ascariasis is a globally spread intestinal nematode infection of humans and a considerable concern in pig husbandry. Ascaris accomplishes a complex body migration from... (Review)
Review
Ascariasis is a globally spread intestinal nematode infection of humans and a considerable concern in pig husbandry. Ascaris accomplishes a complex body migration from the intestine via the liver and lung before returning to the intestine. Tissue migration and the habitat shared with a complex microbial community pose the question of how the nematode interacts with microbes and host cells from various tissues. This review addresses the current knowledge of the trilateral relationship between Ascaris, its microbial environment, and host cells, and discusses novel approaches targeting these interactions to combat this widespread infection of livestock and man.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris; Environment; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Host-Parasite Interactions; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 33008723
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.09.002 -
Jornal de Pediatria Mar 2024Complications of ascariasis are a significant cause of abdominal pain in pediatric emergencies, especially where it is endemic. A literature review was conducted with... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Complications of ascariasis are a significant cause of abdominal pain in pediatric emergencies, especially where it is endemic. A literature review was conducted with the aim of improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these patients.
DATA SOURCES
A PubMed search was conducted using the key terms "ascariasis complications" and "hepatobiliary ascariasis". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, case reports, and reviews published up to December 2023.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Obstruction of the small bowel is the most common complication. Others that are, rarer and more difficult to properly identify and treat, such as biliary, hepatic, and pancreatic complications, acute appendicitis, Meckel's diverticulitis, or peritoneal granulomas. Hepatic and pancreatic complications are rarer and more serious in children than in adults. While plain radiography is usually the only option in cases of intestinal obstruction, ultrasonography is the examination of choice in cases of hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and appendicular ascariasis complications in childhood. The treatment is clinical and conservative in most patients. Surgical treatment is indicated if conservative therapy fails, or if there are signs of complications. Laparoscopy has been used as an excellent technical alternative in adults with hepatobiliary complications of ascariasis, but further studies on its use in children are still needed.
CONCLUSION
The creation of protocols and greater debate on this subject should be encouraged for a better understanding of the disease and to establish an early diagnosis and adequate treatment for children with complications resulting from massive infestation by Ascaris lumbricoides.
PubMed: 38522478
DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2024.02.001 -
Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie May 2017Ascariasis is not widespread in Europe, and the knowledge on how to diagnose and treat the disease is limited to some specialists. On the other hand, clinicians are...
Ascariasis is not widespread in Europe, and the knowledge on how to diagnose and treat the disease is limited to some specialists. On the other hand, clinicians are facing an increasing number of immigrants from high-prevalence countries and are, therefore, challenged to update in this field of infectious diseases. Here we present current knowledge on this infection in 2 parts. The first part discusses clinical features and hot topics in ascariasis, and the second part presents imaging features of ascariasis as a pictorial essay.
Topics: Ascariasis; Europe; Humans
PubMed: 28499324
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-104781 -
Parasite Immunology Jun 2019Ascariasis is the most frequent soil transmitted helminthiasis and, as well as other helminth infections, is expected to influence the clinical presentation of allergic... (Review)
Review
Ascariasis is the most frequent soil transmitted helminthiasis and, as well as other helminth infections, is expected to influence the clinical presentation of allergic diseases such as asthma. Indeed, several clinical and experimental works have shown an important impact either increasing or suppressing symptoms, and the same effects have been detected on the underlying immune responses. In this review we analyze the work on this field performed in Colombia, a Latin American tropical country, including aspects such as the molecular genetics of the IgE response to Ascaris; the allergenic activity of Ascaris IgE-binding molecular components and the immunological and clinical influences of ascariasis on asthma. The analysis allows us to conclude that the impact of ascariasis on the inception and evolution of allergic diseases such as asthma deserves more investigation, but advances have been made during the last years. The concurrent parasite-induced immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects during this helminthiasis do modify the natural history of asthma and some aspects of the practice of allergology in the tropics. Theoretically it can also influence the epidemiological trends of allergic diseases either by its absence or presence in different regions and countries.
Topics: Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E
PubMed: 30295330
DOI: 10.1111/pim.12595 -
Endoscopy Dec 2024
Topics: Humans; Ascariasis; Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
PubMed: 38388953
DOI: 10.1055/a-2258-8436 -
Pediatrics in Review Aug 2015• On the basis of research evidence, worm infections are important global child health conditions causing chronic disability that lasts from childhood into adulthood... (Review)
Review
• On the basis of research evidence, worm infections are important global child health conditions causing chronic disability that lasts from childhood into adulthood (Table 1). (2)(3) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of research evidence, the major worm infections found in developing countries include ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm infection, and schistosomiasis; toxocariasis, enterobiasis, and cysticercosis are also found in poor regions of North America and Europe. (4)(9)(13) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of expert consensus, children and adolescents are often vulnerable to acquiring large numbers of worms, ie, high-intensity infections (Fig 1)(21)(22)(23) Evidence Quality: D • On the basis of expert consensus and research evidence, moderate and heavy worm burdens cause increased morbidity because of growth and intellectual stunting in children and adolescents. Many of these effects may result from helminth-induced malnutrition. (21)(22)(23) Evidence Quality: C • On the basis of expert consensus and research evidence, worm infections are also commonly associated with eosinophilia. (48) (49) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of research evidence as well as consensus, helminthes can cause inflammation in the lung (asthma), gastrointestinal tract (enteritis and colitis), liver (hepatitis and fibrosis), and urogenital tract. (7)(21)(22)(23)(27)(28)(40)(41)(43) Evidence Quality: B • On the basis of research evidence, microscopy techniques for diagnosis of worm infections in children often exhibit suboptimal sensitivities and specificities, necessitating new or improved diagnostic modalities such as polymerase chain reaction. (54)(55) Evidence Quality: A • On the basis of research evidence and expert consensus, mass drug administration (“preventive chemotherapy”) has becomea standard practice for ministries of health in low- and middle-income countries to control intestinal helminth infections and schistosomiasis. (67)(68) Evidence Quality: B.
Topics: Ascariasis; Child; Cost of Illness; Developing Countries; Endemic Diseases; Enterobiasis; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Trichuriasis; United States
PubMed: 26232464
DOI: 10.1542/pir.36-8-341 -
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland :... 2021The aim: To study the epidemiological situation of ascariasis among women with pathology of the reproductive system on the basis of a literature database (PubMed,...
OBJECTIVE
The aim: To study the epidemiological situation of ascariasis among women with pathology of the reproductive system on the basis of a literature database (PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, PLoS, Hindawi) and to present our experience with ascariasis and pathology of reproductive system.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: We investigated parasitic invasions in 174 women reproductive losses and 186 patients with primary infertility.
RESULTS
Results: The results performed in women with infertility and reproductive losses have proved the role of parasitic infection in the emergence of disorders of hormonal homeostasis, endothelial-lymphocytic dysfunction, severe vaginal and intestinal dysbiosis and, as a consequence, reproduction of conditionally pathogenic flora, etiopathogenetic risk factors for the development of various forms of women's reproductive health pathology.
CONCLUSION
Conclusions: More global attention to the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic infections in the examination of women with infertility and reproductive losses is warranted. The influence of ascariasis as a source of autoinfection of the gastrointestinal tract, allowed us to consider the presence of this invasion a risk factor for the development of chronic inflammatory process of the lower genital tract.
Topics: Ascariasis; Dysbiosis; Female; Humans; Infertility; Women's Health
PubMed: 34725290
DOI: No ID Found -
Abdominal Radiology (New York) Mar 2022To report the radiological features of intestinal ascariasis and to review the clinical implications of this re-emerging disease for adult population of the USA. This... (Review)
Review
To report the radiological features of intestinal ascariasis and to review the clinical implications of this re-emerging disease for adult population of the USA. This retrospective observational study involved 12 adult patients, whose radiological examinations disclosed unsuspected presence of ascaris in their intestinal tract. They were evaluated by computed tomography of the abdomen with oral contrast, small bowel series with barium, and magnetic resonance enterography. This series included 7 men and 5 women, who ranged in age from 19 to 72 years (mean age 48 years). The typical configuration of ascaris within the bowel loops was demonstrated on CT of the abdomen in 5 patients, small bowel examination with barium in 3, and by MR enterography in another 4 cases. Our study highlights the radiological appearances of intestinal ascariasis and the clinical implications of this resurging disease. The practicing radiologists should be aware of these findings, particularly when examining patients who have immigrated from or traveled to the endemic regions.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascariasis; Female; Humans; Intestine, Small; Intestines; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Observational Studies as Topic; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
PubMed: 35015117
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03407-6