Other species of Roundworms

RoundwormThe nematodes or roundworms are one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode species might be approximately 1,000,000. Unlike flatworms, roundworms have a digestive system that is like a tube with openings at both ends.

Nematodes have successfully adapted to nearly every ecosystem from marine to fresh water, from the polar regions to the tropics, as well as the highest to the lowest of elevations. They are ubiquitous in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments, where they often outnumber other animals in both individual and species counts, and are found in locations as diverse as mountains, deserts and oceanic trenches. They represent, for example, 90% of all life on the seafloor of the Earth. Their many parasitic forms include pathogens in most plants and animals (including humans).

Roundworms and it's environment

Nematodes are slender, worm-like animals, typically less than 2.5 millimetres (0.10 in) long. The smallest nematodes are microscopic, while free-living species can reach as much as 5 centimetres (2.0 in) and some parasitic species are larger still. The body is often ornamented with ridges, rings, warts, bristles or other distinctive structures.

The head of a nematode is relatively distinctive. the head has sensory bristles and, in many cases, solid head-shields radiating outwards around the mouth. The mouth has either three or six lips, which often bear a series of teeth on their inner edge. An adhesive caudal gland is often found at the tip of the tail.

Parasitic species Nematodes commonly parasitic on humans include ascarids (Ascaris), filarias, hookworms, pinworms (Enterobius) and whipworms (Trichuris trichiura).

The species Trichinella spiralis, commonly known as the trichina worm, occurs in rats, pigs, and humans, and is responsible for the disease trichinosis.

Baylisascaris usually infests wild animals but can be deadly to humans as well.

Dirofilaria immitis are Heartworms known for causing Heartworm disease by inhabiting the hearts, arteries, and lungs of dogs and some cats.

There are approximately 60 species of whipworms that infect mammals. Only two are considered here, the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura, and the canine whipworm, T. vulpis. These two species have a high degree of host specificity, but canine whipworms have been recovered from humans on rare occasions.
Whipworms get their name from the characteristic shape of the adults. The adults live in the host's large intestine with their anterior ends embedded in the cells that line the intestine; each female can produce in excess of 10,000 eggs each day, and the worms can live several years. The eggs are passed in the host's feces, and they become infective in about three weeks. When an infective egg is eaten by the appropriate host it hatches in the small intestine, and the juvenile worm migrates to the large intestine where it reaches sexual maturity.

Symptoms and problems

Threatworm disease usually occurs when someone walks barefoot on contaminated soil, and larvae get into the skin. Inside the body, they move to the lymph nodes and then to the lungs and throat. When the person coughs, the larvae are swallowed and move to the intestines. There they grow into adults and produce eggs. Symptoms include: Itch where the worm enters the skin (similar to a bug bite), Nausea and diarrhea, Fever, Blood in the stool, Dry cough or coughing up blood, Difficulty breathing.

Whipworm infection occurs when a person eats food contaminated with soil containing eggs of the worm. After eggs are eaten, larvae hatch and attach themselves to the large intestine. Symptoms include: Abdominal pain, Diarrhea (sometimes bloody), Anemia, Chronic hemorrhage, bacterial infections, insomnia, nervousness, loss of appetite, vomiting, itching, diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence.

Trichinosis (trichiniasis): Trichinosis is an infection caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. These larvae live in pigs and other wild carnivores, such as bears. People can get infected when they eat meat (particularly pork) that is undercooked. The larvae mature in the small intestine and move to muscle cells where they can live for months or years. Symptoms include: Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, High fever, Sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), Headache, Pink eye (conjunctivitis). When the organisms invade the muscle, symptoms include muscular pain, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, heart damage, and various nervous disorders.  Death is usually caused by heart failure, toxemia, or kidney malfunction.

Visceral larva migrans, or VLM (toxocariasis): VLM is an infection caused by the roundworms Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, or Baylisascaris procyonis. These parasites usually infect dogs, cats, and raccoons, respectively. People can get infected by ingesting soil contaminated by animal feces. While the larvae do not grow to be adults in people, they penetrate the intestinal wall and move to various parts of the body, particularly the lungs and liver.

Lymphatic filariasis: A lymphatic filariasis infection occurs when a person is bitten by a mosquito containing the roundworms Wucheria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or Brugia timori. After infection, the adult filarial worms migrate to and live in the lymphatic ducts of humans.  There, they clog up the blood vessels and cause the enlargement of the various body parts.  The worms then infiltrate connective tissue. Sympoms include: swelling and scarring, especially of the legs and groin and infections

Elephantiasis: The most dramatic type of infection caused by filarial worms is elephantiasis. This disease is characterized by horribly swollen body parts, and thickened and cracked skin.  It is a common condition; dwarfism has also been seen when the pituitary is affected.  Elephantiasis results in blindness when the cornea or retina is affected.

River blindness (onchocerciasis): River blindness is an infection of the eyes caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus. River blindness is spread by day-biting flies, and is the leading cause of blindness worldwide.  This disease can be asymptomatic.  In many other cases, it causes disfigurement and blindness. Symptoms include itchy rash,sores on the skin, swollen lymph nodes, skin turns white (loss of pigmentation), loss of vision

Loiasis: Loiasis is an infection caused by the roundworm Loa loa. Like river blindness, loiasis is spread by day-biting flies. Symptoms include watery or itchy eyes, blurred vision.
Some people may see the worm move across the eyes

Diagnosis

Diagnosing roundworm infection involves finding out which worm is causing the infection. If a worm passes through the mouth or rectum, take it to your doctor so it can be identified. Other steps in diagnosis may include:

Physical exam
Stool and urine samples -- identify microorganisms in the stool and urine. Whipworm diagnosis depends on the demonstration of eggs, which have a characteristic appearance, in the feces.
Blood tests -- find infection in the blood
Muscle or skin biopsy -- find infections that affect the muscle or skin
Ultrasound -- reveals worms in lymph nodes
X-ray -- show large worms in abdominal region
Tape test -- used particularly for pinworm infections. A doctor applies sticky tape to the skin around the anal region, removes the tape, and then examines it under a microscope for pinworm.

 

Treatement

Generally Roundworms can be successfully treated with the herbal parasite program.

Only exception is the Guinea Worm: The historical treatment for guinea worms is to pull them out slowly, centimeter by centimeter, by winding them on a stick.  Cold water triggers the female worm to expel enough juveniles to allow about 5 cm of her body to be pulled out.  This procedure is repeated once a day.  Complete removal of the worm takes about 3 weeks.
Guinea worms should be removed surgically, but surgery not be availablbuy parasite herbse in many areas where infection is common.

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Prevention

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, many roundworm parasitic diseases are caused by poor sanitation and hygiene. Most roundworms or their eggs are found in the dirt and can be picked up on the hands and transferred to the mouth. Or they can get into the body through the skin.

It is easier to prevent roundworms than to cure them. The steps to preventing roundworm infection include:

  • The parasite can be killed by both freezing and cooking.  Freezing at -15 C (5 F) for 20 days destroys all parasites (of the temperate zone strain).  Fully cooking all meat is the best way to avoid infection.
  • Practice good personal hygiene -- wash hands and avoid contact with fecal matter
  • Use a water filter, drink clean water
  • Don' t eat uncooked or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
  • Stay away from mosquito or fly-infested areas; don' t drink unfiltered water; and don' t touch the soil in areas where roundworm infections are common.
  • Wear protective clothing, and use insect repellant.
  • Do not use human excrement or raw sewage or untreated 'night soil' as manure/fertilizer in agriculture
  • Do not walk barefoot in known infected areas
  • Thoroughly washing food and cooking food
  • Washing hands after going to the toilet, and before handling or eating food.
  • Using safe food preparation practices.
  • Don't kiss or sleep with your dog!
  • Worm your pets regularly
  • Cleaning of animal living areas regularly, and hygienically collecting and disposing of faeces.
  • Checking sewage systems often to ensure they are not broken or faulty.
  • Reduce carbs in your diet as a shortage of carbohydrates in the host's diet stunts the growth of the parasites and kills some.