Pharmacotherapy of ascariasis

Abstract

Ascaris lumbricoides, the most frequent human intestinal nematode, is the causative agent of ascariasis, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of over one billion people, especially in moist tropical and subtropical regions, but also in cooler climates. Although characterised with low morbidity and mortality rates, the global prevalence of ascariasis still results in approximately 20,000 deaths annually, primarily as a consequence of intestinal obstruction. In humans, transmission usually occurs by hand-to-mouth route by way of contaminated agricultural products and food, or from dirty hands. Three phases of ascariasis may be present, namely, the pulmonary, intestinal and the complications stage. Although generally asymptomatic, heavy infestation may cause serious pulmonary disease, or partial or complete obstruction of biliary or intestinal tracts. Anthelminthic chemotherapy is required to eradicate the parasites and prevent potentially serious complications. Mebendazole, albendazole and pyrantel pamoate are the most widely used agents to treat ascariasis. Preventive chemotherapy delivered to communities in endemic regions may serve as an affordable and cost-effective strategy to reduce the prevalence and morbidity in endemic regions. Under unusual circumstances, Ascaris suum, the cause of helminthic infection in pigs, may also cause disease in humans.

Massive Proteinuria: A Possible Side Effect of Pyrantel Pamoate?

“…7 In particular, pyrantel pamoate is a deworming drug acting as a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, thereby causing sudden contraction, followed by paralysis, of the helminths. As a result, the worm loses its grip on the intestinal wall and passes out of the system by natural process.…”

Biliary Ascariasis with hepatic abscess in a young boy of 2.5 years of age

“…Preventive chemotherapy delivered to communities in endemic regions may serve as an affordable and cost-effective strategy to reduce the prevalence and morbidity in endemic regions. 9,10 …”

Ascaridíase biliar complicada: espectro de problemas e táticas cirúrgicas

“…As formas complicadas da ascaridíase são responsáveis mundialmente por 60000 mortes/ ano, a maioria absoluta em crianças e pacientes atingidos por complicações cirúrgicas 7,8 . Dados recentes sugerem que a ascaridíase biliar é responsável por 30% das complicações de ascaridíase na criança: em 6% dos casos serão necessárias medidas cirúrgicas ou endoscópicas, com uma incidên-cia de 1% de abscesso hepático por Al 9 .…”