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Cosmopolitan in distribution
Most common helminthic infestation
About 1.3 billion infected worldwide
Prevalence was about 250 million in 1997
Epidemiological Determinants
1. Agent 5. Environment
2. Reservoir of infection 6. Human habits
3. Infective material 7. Period of
4. Host communicability
Agent- Ascaris Lumbricoides
The adult worms are cylindrical in shape,
creamy-white or pinkish in color. The female
averages 20-35cm in length, the largest 49cm.
The male is smaller, averaging 15-31cm in
length and distinctly more slender than the
female. They have a complete digestive tract.
Reproductive organs are tubular, male has a
single reproductive tubule. The female has two
reproductive tubules and the vulva is ventrally
located at the posterior part of the anterior 1/3 of
the body.
Reservoir of infection
Feaces containg
fertilized eggs
Host
By faecal-oral route
Incubation period
About 2 months
Life cycle
Man is the only definitive host
Eggs in feces
Development in soil
Rhabditiform larva forms
Infection by ingestion and
liberation of larvae
Migration through the lungs
Re-entry in the stomach and
small intestine
Sexual maturity and egg
liberation
Cycle again repeats
Four moultings of larvae
One (outside), two (lungs) and
one (intestine)
Factors favoring transmission: