Introduction Helminths are macroscopic parasitic worms that are classified into three clinically relevant groups: cestodes (tapeworms) trematodes (flukes) nematodes (roundworms) General features of helminths macroscopic (though the parasite’s eggs are usually microscopic) multicellular have three main life-cycle stages eggs larvae adults Helminths Tapeworms (Cestodes) Helminths Transmission Disease Treatment Taenia solium (pork) Ingestion of larvae in undercooked pork Ingestion of eggs in food contaminated with human feces Intestinal tapeworm (ingestion of larvae) Neurocysticercosis (ingestion of eggs) Praziquantel Albendazole (for neurocysticercosis) Taenia saginata (beef) Ingestion of larvae in undercooked beef Intestinal tapeworm Praziquantel Diphyllobothrium latum (fish) Ingestion of larvae in raw freshwater fish Megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency Praziquantel Echinococcus granulosus/multilocularis Ingestion of eggs in food contaminated with dog feces Hydatid cyst disease (liver cysts) Albendazole Flukes (Trematodes) Helminths Transmission Disease Treatment Schistosoma Penetration of skin by cercariae, usually in contaminated fresh water (snails are intermediate host) Hepatosplenomegaly Portal hypertension Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder (chronic infection with S. haematobium) Praziquantel Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese liver fluke) Ingestion of undercooked fish Clonorchiasis (biliary tract inflammation) Cholangiosarcoma Praziquantel Paragoniums westermani (lung fluke) Ingestion of undercooked crab or crayfish Mimics pulmonary TB (hemoptysis) Praziquantel Roundworms (Nematodes) Helminths Transmission Disease Treatment Transmitted by the Ingestion of Eggs ("EATT") Transmitted by the Ingestion of Eggs ("EATT") Transmitted by the Ingestion of Eggs ("EATT") Transmitted by the Ingestion of Eggs ("EATT") Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) Fecal-oral Anal pruritis Albendazole Pyrantel pamoate Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm) Fecal-oral Colonic obstruction Biliary obstruction Intestinal perforation Albendazole Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) Fecal-oral Diarrhea Rectal prolapse (with heavy infection Albendazole Toxocara canis Fecal-oral Visceral larva migrans Albendazole Transmitted by the Invasion of Larvae through Skin ("SANd") Transmitted by the Invasion of Larvae through Skin ("SANd") Transmitted by the Invasion of Larvae through Skin ("SANd") Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm) Penetration of the skin by larvae Gastrointestinal upset Albendazole Ivermectin Ancylostoma braziliense Necator americanus (hookworm) Penetration of the skin by larvae Microcytic anemia Albendazole Pyrantel pamoate Transmitted by the Ingestion of Larvae Transmitted by the Ingestion of Larvae Transmitted by the Ingestion of Larvae Transmitted by the Ingestion of Larvae Trichinella spiralis Ingestion of larvae in undercooked pork Myalgia Albendazole Transmitted by Arthropods Transmitted by Arthropods Transmitted by Arthropods Transmitted by Arthropods Wucheria bancrofti Arthropod vector (mosquito) Lymphatic filariasis Diethylcarbamazine Loa loa (African eye worm) Arthropod vector (Deer, horse, or mango fly) Skin swelling Worm in conjunctiva Diethylcarbamazine Onchocerca volvulus Arthropod vector (blackfly) River blindness Ivermectin Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) Ingested copepod in contaminated freshwater Skin inflammation and ulceration Worm eruption from skin Niridazole