Helminthiasis is a large group of parasitic diseases caused by several types of parasitic worms - helminths.Most helminthiasis have similar clinical manifestations and treatment approaches.
Parasites: From Antiquity to the Present
Such common helminthiasis as enterobiasis and ascariasis have been known for a long time.Human invasions by bovine tapeworms and roundworms were mentioned in the sixteenth century BC in the ancient Egyptian medical treatise - the Ebers papyrus.Hippocrates himself paid great attention to helminths.It was they who introduced such concepts as "helminthiasis" and "ascariasis".
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the German microbiologist Karl Rudolphi, while studying a large number of animals, collected a whole collection of parasitic worms.Soon the science of parasitic worms appeared - helminthology.
In one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four, a famous scientist and doctor established a causal relationship between tapeworm parasitism in the human body and the appearance of anemia in the patient.
A great contribution to the development and establishment of helminthology was made by an outstanding scientist and academician, who organized the first department of parasitology and opened specialized institutions dedicated to the study of helminths.On his initiative, more than three hundred parasitological expeditions were carried out, in which he was directly involved.
Parasitologists have described more than five hundred species of parasitic worms that were previously unknown to science.The doctor himself discovered and described more than two hundred new species of helminths, and also published over seven hundred scientific papers.
By the way, it is known that parasitic infection worsens the course of associated diseases, especially chronic, decompensated ones.Helminth infections negatively affect growth, ability to work and also have a depressing effect on the immune system and the human nervous system.
Parasitic infection: types of worms
There are three major classes of helminths - tapeworms (cestodes), roundworms (nematodes), flukes (trematodes).Nematodes are classified as roundworms, while tapeworms and tapeworms are classified as flatworms.A person can act as an intermediate or final host of parasites.
The causative agents of helminthiasis such as ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichinosis, hookworm disease, trichuriasis and strongyloidiasis are nematodes.Cestodes cause echinococcosis, alveococcosis, diphyllobothriasis, taeniasis, teniarynchiasis, hemolepiiasis, etc.And trematodes provoke opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis, paragonimiasis, metagonimiasis, fascioliasis, among others.
Depending on the location of the parasites in the body, there are:
- Luminal helminthiases.
- Tissue helminthiases.
- Hepatobiliary helminthiases.In this case, the parasitic infection affects the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts (opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis).
- Pulmonary helminthiases.
The following types of helminthiasis are distinguished:
- Geohelminthiases.In this case, the parasite develops with the participation of a non-living substrate (water, soil).
- Contagious helminthiasis.The development of worms occurs within a microorganism, such as in enterobiasis.
- Biohelminthiasis is the development of helminths with the participation of intermediate hosts.A typical example is the broad tapeworm, which has a complex development cycle with host change.
By the way, it has been proven that intestinal parasites in the body induce the release of Th2 cytokines, which suppress Th1 cytokines.In this regard, people with helminthic infections have a higher risk of being infected with a particular disease, for example, tuberculosis.
Parasites in the body: the main syndromes
The main clinical syndromes of helminth infections include:
Malnutrition syndrome
It is known that the parasite, while in the human body, consumes nutrients from its host, which can cause the latter to develop protein-energy deficiency, hypovitaminosis and anemia.This often happens when the body is damaged by tapeworms and roundworms that parasitize the intestines.
Immunosuppressive syndrome
When they stay in the body for a long time, helminths can have an immunosuppressive effect, reducing resistance to various microbial and viral infections.
Toxico-allergic organ damage
This is a whole spectrum of diseases - heart (myocarditis), liver (hepatitis), lungs (pneumonia), brain (encephalopathy).Up to hemorrhagic necrotic damage to internal organs.
Local organ tissue damage
Most often it prevails in the chronic phase and is determined by the localization of the helminth.Thus, worms and cestodes have a traumatic effect on the intestinal mucosa, opisthorchids damage the biliary tract, and schistosomes damage the mucosa of the colon and urinary tract.
By the way, it has been proven that helminth infections reduce the effectiveness of vaccination.Some helminths, for example, schistosomes, opisthorkides, Chinese fluxes, can provoke the development of carcinogenesis.This is proven by the so-called parasitic theory of cancer.Of special danger are long-term chronic opisthorchiasis, which can eventually lead to cancer of the biliary tract.
When should you see a doctor?
The following may indicate that a person has parasites in his body:
- Various types of allergic reactions, including recurrent unspecified urticaria, which do not go away even with the use of hormonal and desensitizing drugs.
- Decrease or, conversely, increase in appetite.
- Body fatigue.
- Itching in the anal area - especially in the evening or at night.
- Dyspeptic phenomena.
- Unstable stools - diarrhea or constipation.
- Prolonged dry cough (usually at night), in children - a prolonged "barking" cough.
- An increase in the level of eosinophils in the blood is eosinophilia.
- Anemia, especially B12 deficiency.
- Asthenic syndrome - general weakness, fatigue, malaise.Of course, such symptoms can be attributed to various diseases.However, if the child has an incomprehensible increase in fatigue or mood, poor night sleep or irritability, it makes sense to do a test for parasites.
If there are any of the above signs, this is a reason to consult a parasitologist or infectologist.