Have you ever imagined worms living in your body, roaming around your gut? Those would most likely be some form of a parasite. But what are parasites and why are they in there? Parasitic infections are caused by intestinal helminths and protozoan parasites. Some of the most common infections in humans in developing countries come from parasites and cause significant morbidity and death.
Helminths are macro-parasitic worms with many cells and the most common come in the form of nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flatworms). They inhabit the human gut and generally do not multiply in the body. There are also 4 species of intestinal helminthic parasites that are known as helminths or soil-transmitted helminths. These include Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichiuris trichiuria (whipworm), Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanicus (hookworms).
What is the cause of these infections? Oftentimes, some areas are lacking proper water and sanitation facilities which includes improper sewage handling. This leads to a prevalence of geohelminths that enter the body through these unsafe practices and infected facilities. The problem with helminths more so lies in the actual burden of disease that can affect the health of a person so severely with its chronic effects. It also hurts education and economic development in these countries as well as negatively affecting the physical and mental growth of children. Approximately 50 million worldwide suffer from these infections each year according to The World Health Organization.
Protozoan parasites only have one cell and are fully capable of multiplying in the body. The most common intestinal protozoan parasites are: Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Cyclospora cayetanenensis, and Cryptosporidium spp. These parasites are commonly associated with the symptom of diarrhea. The spread of these protozoan parasites mostly happens due to fecal contamination again resulting from lack of adequate sewage and sanitation facilities leading to poor water quality.
Diagnosis of these infections can come in many ways. The standard, traditional technique used to diagnose intestinal parasitic infections uses microscopes to examine stool samples. Stool samples are the best (for the most part) and most common way to check for parasites and are used in a variety of other methods as well. Antigen detection tests are also now commercially available to diagnose protozoan parasites. In terms of treatment, highly effective drugs like albendazole are available and can be dispensed in a variety of ways through government support systems in countries hit hardest by these infections.
Reference: Haque, Rashidul. “Human intestinal parasites.” Journal of health, population, and nutrition vol. 25,4 (2007): 387-91.
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