infectious diseases
Trichuriasis
Key Points
Trichuriasis occurs principally in developing tropical or subtropical areas where human feces is used as fertilizer or where people defecate onto soil, but infections also occur in the southern United States, mainly in children. Infection is spread via the fecal-oral route. Light infections are often asymptomatic; heavy infections may cause abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, and, in children, weight loss, anemia, and rectal prolapse. To diagnose trichuriasis, examine a stool sample for the characteristic lemon-shaped eggs with clear opercula at both ends. Treat withmebendazole,albendazole, orivermectin. If treatment withivermectinis planned, assess patients for coinfection withLoa loaif they have been in areas of central Africa where it is transmitted;ivermectincan induce severe reactions in patients with high levels ofLoa loamicrofilariae. 