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Taenia contains over 100 species. This family of tapeworms is found in many animals, but the most notable ones are the beef and pork tapeworm because those are the most commonly eaten animals. Taenia occurs when cattle/pigs are raised by infected humans maintaining poor hygiene, when human feces are improperly disposed of, meat inspection programs are poor, and where meat is eaten without proper cooking. The disease is relatively common in Africa, some parts of Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Cattle ingest the infective embryo while grazing. The digestive enzymes will break the thick shell of the egg and allow formation of the zygotes called "oncospheres". These zygotes then penetrate the mucous layer of the digestive tract and enter the circulation of the host. This is where the young larval stages form a pea-sized, fluid filled cyst, also known as "Cysticercus". These cysts seem to form in the muscular fibers and are sometimes seen in specific organs like the lungs and liver.

Humans can become infected when eating raw or undercooked meat of the infected animal, notably beef or pork. In the human, the cysticercus ingested with the undercooked meat develop into adults. Using their scolex (see first photo), they attach to the small intestine where they reside. Fertilized eggs are released through the feces along with the gravid proglottid (segments of the worm). The adult tapeworm soon develops and within three months it can reach 40 feet (12 meters) in length!

Tapeworms are usually asymptomatic. However, severe infection often results in weight loss, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, constipation, or chronic indigestion, and loss of appetite. There can be intestinal obstruction in humans and this can be alleviated by surgery (might want to consider colon hydrotherapy first). The tapeworm can also expel antigens that can cause an allergic reaction in the individual.

Prevention is easy. Cook meat until it is no longer pink inside because cysticerci (the infective part) die at 56 degrees Celsius. Also, if beef is frozen at -5 degrees Celsius it is considered to be safe to consume.

If you are infected with tapeworms, you will feel hungry and lose weight. This is because beef tapeworms are parasites which absorb the food you need. They allow you to digest the food you have eaten and then steal your digested food for their own growth, leaving very little for you. This may lead to stomach cramps, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.

If you suspect this worm, peristalsis of the intestine may be of benefit in ridding your body of it. Bowel Stimulant, along with Super Nutrient and Vitamin D3 will supply the peristalsis and the calcium ions to replicate the drug praziquantiel that is used to induce these very actions.

Diphyllobothrium is a genus of tapeworm which can cause Diphyllobothriasis in humans through consumption of raw or undercooked fish. It is also known as the salmon tapeworm or broad fish tapeworm.

Adult tapeworms may infect humans, canids, felines, bears, pinnipeds, and mustelids, though the accuracy of the records for some of the nonhuman species is disputed. Immature eggs are passed in feces of the mammal host (the definitive host, where the worms reproduce). After ingestion by a suitable freshwater crustacean such as a copepod (the first intermediate host), the coracidia develop into procercoid larvae. Following ingestion of the copepod by a suitable second intermediate host, typically a minnow or other small freshwater fish, the procercoid larvae are released from the crustacean and migrate into the fish's flesh where they develop into a plerocercoid larvae (sparganum). The plerocercoid larvae are the infective stage for the definitive host (including humans).

Because humans do not generally eat undercooked minnows and similar small freshwater fish, these do not represent an important source of infection. However, these small second intermediate hosts can be eaten by larger predator species, for example, trout, perch, and walleyed pike. In this case, the sparganum can migrate to the musculature of the larger predator fish. Mammals (humans) can acquire the disease by eating the infected fish raw or undercooked.

After ingestion of the infected fish, the plerocercoids develop into immature adults and then into mature adult tapeworms which will reside in the small intestine. The adults attach to the intestinal mucosa by means of the two bilateral grooves (bothria) of their scolex. The adults can reach more than 10 m (up to 30 ft) in length in some species such as D. latum, with more than 3,000 proglottids. One or several of the tape-like proglottid segments (hence the name tape-worm, interesting that the segments, seen in photo, also resemble sushi -YUM) regularly detach from the main body of the worm and release immature eggs in fresh water to start the cycle over again. Immature eggs are discharged from the proglottids (up to 1,000,000 eggs per day per worm) and are passed in the feces.

Symptoms are generally mild and can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, constipation and discomfort. Approximately four out of five cases are asymptomatic and can go many years without being detected. In a small number of cases, this leads to severe vitamin B12 deficiency due to the parasite absorbing 80% or more of the host's B12 intake and a megaloblastic anemia indistinguishable from pernicious anemia. The anemia can also lead to subtle demyelinative neurological symptoms (subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord). Infection for many years is ordinarily required to deplete the human body of vitamin B-12 to the point that neurological symptoms appear.

Taenia contains over 100 species. This family of tapeworms is found in many animals, but the most notable ones are the beef and pork tapeworm because those are the most commonly eaten animals. Taenia occurs when cattle/pigs are raised by infected humans maintaining poor hygiene, when human feces are improperly disposed of, meat inspection programs are poor, and where meat is eaten without proper cooking. The disease is relatively common in Africa, some parts of Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Cattle ingest the infective embryo while grazing. The digestive enzymes will break the thick shell of the egg and allow formation of the zygotes called "oncospheres". These zygotes then penetrate the mucous layer of the digestive tract and enter the circulation of the host. This is where the young larval stages form a pea-sized, fluid filled cyst, also known as "Cysticercus". These cysts seem to form in the muscular fibers and are sometimes seen in specific organs like the lungs and liver.

Humans can become infected when eating raw or undercooked meat of the infected animal, notably beef or pork. In the human, the cysticercus ingested with the undercooked meat develop into adults. Using their scolex (see first photo), they attach to the small intestine where they reside. Fertilized eggs are released through the feces along with the gravid proglottid (segments of the worm). The adult tapeworm soon develops and within three months it can reach 40 feet (12 meters) in length!

Tapeworms are usually asymptomatic. However, severe infection often results in weight loss, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, constipation, or chronic indigestion, and loss of appetite. There can be intestinal obstruction in humans and this can be alleviated by surgery (might want to consider colon hydrotherapy first). The tapeworm can also expel antigens that can cause an allergic reaction in the individual.

Prevention is easy. Cook meat until it is no longer pink inside because cysticerci (the infective part) die at 56 degrees Celsius. Also, if beef is frozen at -5 degrees Celsius it is considered to be safe to consume.

If you are infected with tapeworms, you will feel hungry and lose weight. This is because beef tapeworms are parasites which absorb the food you need. They allow you to digest the food you have eaten and then steal your digested food for their own growth, leaving very little for you. This may lead to stomach cramps, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.

If you suspect this worm, peristalsis of the intestine may be of benefit in ridding your body of it. Bowel Stimulant, along with Super Nutrient and Vitamin D3 will supply the peristalsis and the calcium ions to replicate the drug praziquantiel that is used to induce these very actions.

The genus Strongyloides contains 53 species and S. stercoralis is the particular species that causes most human infection. It is often referred to as Threadworm (in Britain it may be known as pinworm), but Strongyloides is a roundworm that causes the disease strongyloidiasis. There are other species that can infect humans, cats, dogs, monkeys and various mammals.

The infectious larvae penetrate the skin when skin comes into contact with the soil. Larvae have been thought to locate their hosts via chemicals in the skin. The predominant one is urocanic acid, a histidine metabolite on the uppermost layer of skin that is removed by sweat or the daily skin-shedding cycle.[8] Urocanic acid concentrations can be up to five times greater in the foot than any other part of the human body.

Some of them enter the superficial veins and ride the blood vessels to the lungs, where they enter the alveoli. They are then coughed up and swallowed into the stomach, where they parasitise the intestinal mucosa (duodenum and jejunum). They can cause both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. In the small intestine, they molt twice and become adult female worms. The females live threaded through the epithelium of the small intestine.

Many people infected are usually asymptomatic at first. Symptoms include dermatitis: swelling, itching, larva currens, and mild hemorrhage at the site where the skin has been penetrated. If the parasite reaches the lungs, the chest may feel as if it is burning, wheezing and coughing may result along with pneumonia-like symptoms (Löffler's syndrome). The intestines could eventually be invaded causing burning pain, tissue damage, sepsis, and ulcers. In severe cases, edema may result in obstruction of the intestinal tract as well as loss of peristaltic contractions.

There are twenty two species under the genus Trichophyton. Within the total number of species, eleven are commonly associated with tinea (ringworm) of the scalp, the nails, and the skin in humans while only four are isolated from animals. Trichophyton is a dermatophyte fungus which is primarily isolated from the soil, humans, or animals.

Trichophyton is a keratinophilic filamentous fungus which has the ability to invade keratinized tissues. It is considered one of the leading causes of hair, skin, and nail infections in humans. Possession of several enzymes, such as acid proteinases, elastase, keratinases, and other proteinases are the major virulence factors of Trichophyton species.

Ringworm is common, especially among children, but it can affect people of all ages. It is caused by a fungus, not a worm like the name suggests. Ringworm occurs when a type of fungus called tinea grows and multiplies on your skin.

Ringworm can affect the skin on your:

• Beard -- tinea barbae
• Body -- tinea corporis
• Feet -- tinea pedis (also called athlete's foot)
• Groin area -- tinea cruris (also called jock itch)
• Scalp -- tinea capitis

Ringworm can spread easily from one person to another. You can contract ringworm if you touch someone who has the infection or if you come into contact with items contaminated by the fungus, such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. You can also contract ringworm from pets that carry the fungus. Cats are common carriers.

Symptoms of ringworm are itchy, red, raised, and scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches tend to have sharply-defined edges. Red patches are often more red around the outside with normal skin tone in the center, making it look like a ring.

If ringworm affects your hair, you will have bald patches. If ringworm affects your nails, they will become discolored, thick, and even crumble.

Microsporum ringworm, a fungus that causes a skin infection called ringworm, can pass from animals to people. It is characterized by skin lesions and small scaly patches that do not always form a circle, microsporum ringworm causes hair loss at the affected site. Ringworm mimics other skin infections, such as demodex, caused by a parasite. Seventeen species of Microsporum exist.

Pathogenic dermatophytes are parasitic fungi that share the ability to invade keratinized (do not have circulation, technically dead) structures such as hair, nails, and stratum corneum, causing superficial infections called dermatophytosis in both humans and animals. Microsporum canis is the main agent of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats but is also a frequent zoonotic agent, as shown by the increasing prevalence of human infections in many European countries.

Human infection occurs mainly by direct contact with infected cats, which are considered the natural hosts and the reservoir for Microsporum. The fact that cats can be asymptomatically infected (no sign of infection) enhances the risk for both human and animal contamination since they are responsible for occult and massive dissemination of fungal material into their environment.

The pinworm, also known as threadworm (in the United Kingdom) or seatworm, is a roundworm of the Enterobius genus. The pinworm has a worldwide distribution and is the most common parasitic infection in the United States and Western Europe. Pinworms are particularly common in children, with prevalence rates in this age group having been reported as high as 61% in India, 50% in England, 39% in Thailand, 37% in Sweden, and 29% in Denmark. Because it spreads from host to host through contamination, pinworms are common among people living in close contact, and tend to occur in all people within a household.

The surface of the eggs is sticky when laid and the eggs are readily transmitted from their initial deposit near the anus to fingernails, hands, night-clothing and bed linen. From here, eggs are further transmitted to food, water, furniture, toys, bathroom fixtures and other objects. Household pets often carry the eggs in their fur, while not actually being infected. Dust containing eggs can become airborne and widely dispersed when dislodged from surfaces, for instance when shaking out bed clothes and linen. Consequently the eggs can enter the mouth and nose through inhalation and be swallowed later. The eggs are hardy and can remain viable (i.e., infectious) in a moist environment for up to three weeks!

One third of individuals with pinworm infection are totally asymptomatic (have no symptoms). The main symptoms are itching in and around the anus and around the perineum. The itching occurs mainly during the night and is caused by the female pinworms migrating to lay eggs around the anus. The intensity of the itching varies and it can be described as tickling, crawling sensations, or even acute pain. The itching leads to continuously scratching the area around the anus, which can result in tearing of the skin and further complications such as secondary bacterial infections, including bacterial dermatitis (i.e., skin inflammation) and folliculitis (i.e., hair follicle inflammation). General symptoms are insomnia (i.e., persistent difficulties to sleep) and restlessness. A considerable portion of children suffer from anorexia (i.e., loss of appetite), weight loss, irritability, emotional instability, and enuresis (i.e., inability to control urination).

In women the pinworms may move onto the vulva and into the vagina, then moving to external orifice of the uterus, and onwards to the uterine cavity, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and peritoneal cavity. This can cause vulvovaginitis, (an inflammation of the vulva and vagina). This causes vaginal discharge and pruritus vulvae, (itchiness of the vulva).

Two species of hookworms commonly infect humans, they are Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. Hookworms are round worms that generally live in the small intestine of their host. They are generally associated with dogs, cats and humans. Hookworms are thought to infect more than 600 million people worldwide. Ancylostomiasis, also known by several other names, is the disease caused when large numbers of A. duodenale hookworms produce an iron deficiency anemia by sucking blood from the host's intestinal walls.

The worms suck blood voraciously and damage the mucosa of the intestine. However, the blood loss in the bowel movement is not visibly apparent.

 

Hookworms are a leading cause of maternal and child morbidity in the developing countries of the tropics and subtropics. In susceptible children, hookworms cause intellectual, cognitive and growth retardation. In newborns they cause intrauterine growth retardation, premature birth, and low birth weight when born to infected mothers.

Hookworm eggs are passed in the feces of an infected person. If the infected person or animal defecates outside or if the feces of an infected person or animal are used as fertilizer, eggs are deposited in the soil. The eggs mature and hatch, releasing larvae. The larvae mature into a form that can penetrate the skin of humans. Hookworm infection is mainly acquired by walking barefoot on contaminated soil. One kind of hookworm can also be transmitted through the ingestion of larvae. The moral of the story here is to never walk bare foot where animals may have pooped because you don't know which ones are infected and which are not.

Larval invasion of the skin might give rise to intense, local itching, usually on the foot or lower leg, which can advance to lesions that look like insect bites, can blister ("ground itch"), and last for a week or more. Animal hookworm larvae on penetrating humans may produce a creeping eruption called cutaneous larva migrans (see photo). The larvae migrate in tortuous tunnels in between layers of the skin, causing serpigenous vesicular lesions.

Hookworm infection is generally considered to be asymptomatic, but as Norman Stoll described in 1962, hookworm is an extremely dangerous infection because its damage is "silent and insidious." There are general symptoms that an individual may experience soon after infection. Ground-itch, which is an allergic reaction at the site of parasitic penetration and entry, is common in patients infected with N. americanus. Additionally, cough and pneumonitis may result as the larvae begin to break into the alveoli and travel up the trachea. Once the larvae reach the small intestine of the host and begin to mature, the infected individual will suffer from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal discomfort. However, the "silent and insidious" symptoms referred to by Stoll are related to chronic, heavy-intensity hookworm infections. Major morbidity associated with hookworm is caused by intestinal blood loss, iron deficiency anemia, and protein malnutrition. They result mainly from adult hookworms in the small intestine ingesting blood, rupturing erythrocytes, and degrading hemoglobin in the host. This long-term blood loss can manifest itself physically through facial and peripheral edema. Eosinophilia and pica caused by iron deficiency anemia are also experienced by some hookworm-infected patients.

With advancing movement of the larvae, the rear portions of the lesions become dry and crusty. The lesions are typically extremely pruritic (itchy). Coughing, chest pain, wheezing, and fever will sometimes be experienced by people who have been exposed to very large numbers of larvae. Epigastric pains, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea can occur early or in later stages as well, although gastrointestinal symptoms tend to improve with time. Signs of advanced severe infection are anemia and protein deficiency, including emaciation, cardiac failure and abdominal distension with ascites (fluid buildup).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected animal. It is generally associated with dogs, but it can also infect humans. The parasite is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. Heartworms enter the bloodstream as tiny, invisible larvae and travel through the bloodstream, harming arteries and vital organs as they go. Ultimately they complete their journey to the vessels of the lung and the heart chamber about six months after the initial infection.

In rare cases, migrating heartworm larvae get "lost" and end up in unusual sites such as the eye, brain, or an artery in the leg, which results in unusual symptoms such as blindness, seizures and lameness. Typically until the larvae mature and congregate inside the heart, they produce no symptoms or signs of illness.

Although the parasite is commonly called "heartworm"; that is a misnomer because the adult actually resides in the pulmonary arterial system (lung arteries) for the most part. The primary effect on the health of the animal is a manifestation of damage to the lung vessels and tissue. Occasionally, adult heartworms migrate to the right heart and even the great veins in heavy infections. Several hundred worms can live in one (dog) for five to seven years and can reach lengths of more than twelve inches at maturity.

Many (dogs) will show little or no sign of infection even after the worms become adults. These animals usually have only a light infection and live a fairly sedentary lifestyle. However, active dogs and those with heavier infections may show the classic signs of heartworm disease. Early signs include a cough, especially on exercise and early exhaustion upon exercise. In the most advanced cases where many adult worms have built up in the heart without treatment, signs progress to severe weight loss, fainting, coughing up blood and, finally, congestive heart failure.

Giardia infects a number of vertebrates by colonizing and reproducing in the small intestine causing Giardiasis. The parasite is present in the feces of infected people and animals. When water, food or soil sources are contaminated with feces containing giardia, contact with these sources spreads the parasite. Giardia infection occurs most frequently in people traveling to developing countries or in hikers and campers who have consumed untreated water from lakes, streams or ponds. Water is the most common source of contamination.

The symptoms of Giardia may appear 1–2 weeks after becoming infected and include diarrhea, excess gas, stomach or abdominal cramps, upset stomach, and nausea. The signs and symptoms can last for one to two weeks or even longer. The disease affects individuals in various ways. Some people infected with giardia have no symptoms at all, while others may have severe diarrhea or vomiting. Left untreated, Giardia infection may lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances which can result in shock or coma and may be life threatening.

Person-to-person transmission accounts for the majority of Giardia infections and is usually associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. Water-borne transmission is associated with the ingestion of contaminated water. In the U.S. outbreaks typically occur in small water systems using inadequately treated surface water. Venereal transmission happens through fecal-oral contamination. Additionally, diaper changing and inadequate hand washing are risk factors for transmission from infected children. Lastly, food-borne epidemics of Giardia have developed through the contamination of food by infected food-handlers.