Intestinal Parasites - Part 2

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering intestinal nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes, including clinical features, transmission routes, egg morphology, and diagnostic tests.

Ascaris lumbricoides

The largest nematode (roundworm) parasitizing the human intestine and the most common human helminth infection worldwide, transmitted via ingestion of embryonated eggs.

Löffler syndrome

An early-phase respiratory complication caused by the migration of Ascaris larvae through the lungs, presenting with fever, nonproductive cough, dyspnea, and wheezing.

Ascaris lumbricoides Fertile Egg

The infective egg stage of Ascaris lumbricoides passed in feces, identifiable microscopically in stool for definitive diagnosis.

Hookworm

Intestinal nematodes (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) transmitted by filariform larva penetration of human skin, causing intestinal blood loss and iron deficiency anemia.

Ground itch

A localized skin manifestation caused by the penetration of hookworm filariform larvae into human skin.

Cutaneous larva migrans

An intensely pruritic serpiginous skin eruption in the upper dermis caused by zoonotic infection with animal hookworm species.

Enterobius vermicularis

Also known as pinworm; an intestinal nematode transmitted via egg ingestion or inhalation, causing perianal pruritus, especially in children.

Scotch tape test

The diagnostic method of choice for Enterobius vermicularis, involving pressing transparent adhesive tape onto perianal skin in the morning to collect eggs for microscopic inspection.

Strongyloides stercoralis

An intestinal nematode whose soil-dwelling filariform larvae penetrate human skin; capable of autoinfection and life-threatening hyperinfection in immunosuppressed patients.

Autoinfection (Strongyloidiasis)

The process where Strongyloides rhabditiform larvae develop into infective filariform larvae inside the gut or perianal area, penetrating mucosa or skin to sustain infection internally.

Trichuris trichiura

The third most common roundworm in humans, also called whipworm, transmitted by ingestion of eggs and capable of causing abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and rectal prolapse.

Trichuris trichiura Egg

The characteristic tea-tray (barrel-shaped) egg with bipolar plugs found in feces, essential for the definitive microscopic diagnosis of whipworm.

Schistosomiasis

Also known as bilharzia; a major trematode disease transmitted when free-swimming cercariae released from freshwater snails penetrate human skin during water contact.

Katayama fever

An acute manifestation of schistosomiasis occurring weeks after infection, characterized by fever, lethargy, malaise, myalgia, and focal neurological deficits.

Symmers pipestem fibrosis

Periportal liver fibrosis caused by chronic Schistosoma mansoni egg-induced inflammation, leading to portal hypertension, splenomegaly, ascites, and esophageal varices.

Schistosoma haematobium Egg

An oval egg possessing a distinct terminal spine, excreted primarily in urine to diagnose urinary schistosomiasis.

Schistosoma mansoni Egg

A large oval egg possessing a prominent lateral spine, excreted in stool to diagnose intestinal schistosomiasis.

Echinococcus granulosus

A tapeworm (cestode) whose definitive hosts are canines and intermediate hosts are livestock; infection in humans causes hydatid disease.

Hydatid Cyst

A slow-growing, fluid-filled larval cyst formed primarily in the liver (70%) and lungs (20%) during Echinococcus granulosus infection, which can cause mass effects or anaphylaxis if ruptured.

Taenia saginata Scolex

The anterior attachment structure of the beef tapeworm, which possesses four suckers but lacks a rostellum or hooklets.

Taenia solium Scolex

The head of the pork tapeworm, distinguished by four suckers and a rostellum armed with a double crown of hooklets.

Neurocysticercosis

A serious condition resulting from Taenia solium larval cysts developing in the brain, presenting as seizures, mental disturbances, or focal neurologic deficits.