Strongyloides stercoralis
Strongyloides stercoralis
Strongyloides stercoralis (pronunciation: stron-jih-loy-deez ster-kor-uh-lis) is a human parasitic roundworm causing the disease strongyloidiasis. Its common names include threadworm in English and "strongiloidi" in Italian.
Etymology
The name Strongyloides is derived from the Greek words "strongylos" meaning round and "eidos" meaning form. The species name stercoralis is derived from the Latin word "stercus" meaning dung, referring to the parasitic worm's habitat in feces.
Description
Strongyloides stercoralis is a small nematode that is unique among human parasites. The parasitic female lives in the lining of the small intestine, where she produces eggs by parthenogenesis. The eggs hatch in the intestine and the resulting larvae are excreted in the feces.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis is complex, involving free-living and parasitic stages. The free-living stage occurs in the soil, where the larvae can develop into either non-infective adults or infective filariform larvae. The filariform larvae can penetrate human skin, migrate through the body to the lungs, ascend the bronchial tree to the throat, and are then swallowed and reach the small intestine, where they mature into adults.
Disease
Infection with Strongyloides stercoralis can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and rash. In severe cases, it can cause hyperinfection syndrome, a potentially fatal condition characterized by increased numbers of larvae in the body.
Treatment
Treatment for strongyloidiasis typically involves antiparasitic drugs, such as ivermectin or albendazole.
Prevention
Prevention of strongyloidiasis involves practicing good hygiene, wearing protective clothing when in contact with soil, and proper disposal of human feces.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Strongyloides stercoralis
- Wikipedia's article - Strongyloides stercoralis
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