Enterobius vermicularis or “pinworm” infection of the liver is an extremely rare condition with only five cases previously reported in literature. It is characterized by the presence of granulomas in the liver with a necrotic core, containing adult helminthes or their ova.
Pinworms are white, parasitic worms that can live in the large intestine of humans. They are about one-half inch long. While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestinal tract and lay their eggs on the skin around the anus.
Pinworm infection (called enterobiasis or oxyuriasis) causes itching around the anus which can lead to difficulty sleeping and restlessness. Symptoms are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs.
While serious complications are rare, pinworms can lead to: Bacterial infections: When the infected person scratches the anal area, the skin can bleed and become infected. Urinary tract infections (UTIs): In females, the worms can travel to the vagina and cause infections.
If left untreated, the intense itching and scratching associated with these infections will result in secondary bacterial infections. Some of these may be difficult to treat. Untreated people can continue to infect other people.
Symptoms of pinworm
Pinworm infections often produce no symptoms but, when they occur, symptoms can include: itchy bottom, especially at night. reduced appetite. feeling mildly unwell.
Complications. Typical pinworm infections don't cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals. The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs.
Severe or persistent threadworm infections can cause: loss of appetite. weight loss. skin infection around the anus if bacteria enter any scratches caused by itching – wearing cotton gloves while sleeping may help prevent this.
How long does pinworms last? The life cycle of a pinworm is 4 to 6 weeks. Without treatment, infestation will continue as long as fresh eggs are being swallowed, unless a person develops immunity to pinworms, which is unusual before age 15.
Call Your Doctor If:
Pinworm is seen. Skin around the anus gets red or tender. Anal itching lasts more than 1 week.
The research isn't clear but worm infections (not just pinworm) seem to impact on how our immune system develops and functions. There have been suggested links to the hygiene hypothesis, microbiome diversity, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and diabetes. Some studies even showing a benefit!
When pinworm infection was eradicated by fenbendazole, the Th2 neonatal response to pZP3 instantly disappeared. These findings support an association between pinworm infection and autoimmunity, and have prompted a novel hypothesis of autoimmunity pathogenesis.
While migrating, pinworms can gain entrance through the urethra up to the renal pelvis and calyces.
Macrophages (above left, inside liver tissue) are a pinworm's main enemy once inside the body, able to gobble up the eggs and smaller larvae. Macrophages most often start out as monocytes, the largest type of white blood cell at about 21 micrometers, or 0.00083 inches.
Chlorine dioxide gas inactivates pinworm eggs in a non-invasive and non-corrosive manner.
Are threadworms harmful? Not usually. The worst thing about them is the itch and discomfort around the anus. This sometimes wakes children from sleep.
Helminths Parasites are multi-cell parasitic worms such as pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms. These parasitic worms live inside the GI tract. These parasites can contribute to long-term, sometimes severe, chronic health problems because of the way they deplete the body's resources.
You can get tapeworms from food or water that's contaminated with worms or eggs. If you swallow tapeworms, they'll grow up in your intestines. They can live in a person for 30 years.
Strict hygiene measures can clear up pinworm infection without medication, and reduce the risk of reinfection. The worm has a lifespan of about six weeks, therefore the strict hygiene needs to last that long.
To treat pinworm infection, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pyrantel pamoate or prescribe medication to all members of your household to prevent infection and reinfection. The most common prescription anti-parasite medications for pinworms are: Mebendazole. Albendazole (Albenza)
Even though the majority of pinworm cases are symptomless, children with heavy pinworm infections often suffer from irritability and loss of appetite, nausea, insomnia, bed-wetting, nightmares, grinding of the teeth, diarrhea, pruritus ani, catarrhal inflammation, pruritus vulvae, recurrent cellulitis, and endometritis ...
The key is to break the 6-week cycle of pinworm reinfection by killing any live pinworms and preventing the ingestion of eggs. A diagnosis should be confirmed before treating with medications. Medications kill only the adult worms and have no effect on developing eggs and larvae.
Many anti-worm preparations, for example pyrantel (e.g. brand names Anthel, Combantrin and Early Bird) and mebendazole (e.g. Combantrin-1 with Mebendazole, Vermox) can be bought over-the-counter at pharmacies. However, some are only available on prescription, such as albendazole (Zentel).