This article is about the human infection with pinworms. For the organism itself, see Pinworm (parasite).
Medical condition
Pinworm infection
Other names
Enterobiasis, oxyuriasis[1]
Pinworm eggs (Enterobius vermicularis)
Specialty
Infectious disease
Symptoms
Itchy anal area[1]
Usual onset
4 to 8 weeks from exposure[2]
Causes
Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis)[3]
Risk factors
Attending school[1]
Diagnostic method
Seeing the worms or eggs[1]
Prevention
Handwashing, daily bathing in the morning, daily changing of underwear[1]
Medication
Mebendazole, Flubendazole, pyrantel pamoate, or albendazole[4]
Prognosis
Non-serious[5]
Frequency
Common[1][5]
Pinworm infection (threadworm infection in the UK), also known as enterobiasis, is a human parasitic disease caused by the pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis.[3] The most common symptom is itching in the anal area.[1] The period of time from swallowing eggs to the appearance of new eggs around the anus is 4 to 8 weeks.[2] Some people who are infected do not have symptoms.[1]
The disease is spread between people by pinworm eggs.[1] The eggs initially occur around the anus and can survive for up to three weeks in the environment.[1] They may be swallowed following contamination of the hands, food, or other articles.[1] Those at risk are those who go to school, live in a health care institution or prison, or take care of people who are infected.[1] Other animals do not spread the disease.[1] Diagnosis is by seeing the worms which are about one centimetre long or the eggs under a microscope.[1][6]
Treatment is typically with two doses of the medications mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, or albendazole two weeks apart.[4] Everyone who lives with or takes care of an infected person should be treated at the same time.[1] Washing personal items in hot water after each dose of medication is recommended.[1] Good handwashing, daily bathing in the morning, and daily changing of underwear can help prevent reinfection.[1]
Pinworm infections commonly occur in all parts of the world.[1][5] They are the most common type of worm infection in Western Europe, Northern Europe and the United States.[5] School-aged children are the most commonly infected.[1] In the United States about 20% of children will develop pinworm at some point.[3] Infection rates among high-risk groups may be as high as 50%.[2] It is not considered a serious disease.[5] Pinworms are believed to have affected humans throughout history.[7]
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrs"Pinworm Infection FAQs". CDC. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 15 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
^ abc"Epidemiology & Risk Factors". CDC. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
^ abcStermer, E; Sukhotnic, I; Shaoul, R (May 2009). "Pruritus ani: an approach to an itching condition". Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 48 (5): 513–6. doi:10.1097/mpg.0b013e31818080c0. PMID 19412003.
^ ab"Treatment". CDC. 23 September 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
^ abcdeGriffiths, Christopher; Barker, Jonathan; Bleiker, Tanya; Chalmers, Robert; Creamer, Daniel (2016). Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, 4 Volume Set (9 ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. 33.13. ISBN 9781118441176. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017.
^"Biology". CDC. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
^Bynum, W. F.; Porter, Roy (2013). Companion Encyclopedia of the History of Medicine. Routledge. p. 358. ISBN 9781136110368. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017.
Pinworminfection (threadworm infection in the UK), also known as enterobiasis, is a human parasitic disease caused by the pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis...
worm infestations. This includes ascariasis, pinworminfection, hookworm infections, guinea worm infections, hydatid disease, and giardia, among others...
treat a number of parasitic worm infections. This includes ascariasis, hookworm infections, enterobiasis (pinworminfection), trichostrongyliasis, and trichinellosis...
treatment of a variety of intestinal parasite infections, including ascariasis, pinworminfection, hookworm infection, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, taeniasis...
(worms or helminths) including nematodes such as parasitic roundworms and pinworms, tapeworms (cestodes), and flukes (trematodes, such as schistosomes). Diseases...
intestinal parasites. An infection by a helminth is known as helminthiasis, helminth infection, or intestinal worm infection. There is a naming convention...
Helminthiasis, also known as worm infection, is any macroparasitic disease of humans and other animals in which a part of the body is infected with parasitic...
their current status. Some on the list are vaccine-preventable diseases. Infections associated with diseases List of oncogenic bacteria List of causes of...
both humans and animals. Helminthiasis (worm infection), Ascariasis, and enterobiasis (pinworminfection) are few that are caused by various parasitic...
study has failed to show any association between D. fragilis infection and pinworminfection. Parasites similar to D. fragilis are transmitted by consuming...
psychological factors may contribute to awareness of itching. Ingestion of pinworm eggs leads to enterobiasis, indicative of severe itching around the anus...
bacteria, yeast and Trichomonas vaginalis. The urine of children with pinworminfections may contain Enterobius vermicularis eggs, and Schistosoma haematobium...
"Roundworms: Parasitic Infection, Pinworm Symptoms, Treatment". Grove, David I (1986). "Who discovered that intestinal worm infections could be diagnosed...
can also refer to nematodes of the genus Enterobius, otherwise known as pinworms. The Strongyloides stercoralis nematode can parasitize humans. The adult...
itching and irritation to the vulva as well. Pinworms are treated with albendazole. Vulvar Candida infections are uncommon in children, and generally occur...
gingival injury, and malocclusion of the anterior teeth. It can also transfer pinworms or bacteria buried under the surface of the nail from the anus region to...
include: Oxyurida (nematodes) – Traumatic insemination has been observed in pinworm genera including Auchenacantha, Citellina, Passalurus, and "probably" Austroxyris...
hosts with an immunodeficiency. These opportunistic infections often involve hospital-acquired infections among patients already combating another condition...
9% of patients observed. Its coincidence with enterobiasis, caused by pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis), has been reported. In another study, eosinophilia...
of diagnosis; for example, to detect the presence of parasites such as pinworms and their eggs (ova) or to detect disease-spreading bacteria. A stool culture—the...
divided into endoparasites, which cause infection inside the body, and ectoparasites, which cause infection superficially within the skin. The cysts...
Global Information