Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diseases Caused by Worms

  • Chapter
Dermatology

Abstract

Climatic factors, limited hygiene, and a variety of daily activities including eating habits and obtaining water all contribute to a spectrum of infections caused by worms. All these infections are more common in subtropical and tropical regions and many have cutaneous features. While over 150 types of worms can infect humans, most are very rare or animal pathogens that reach humans only accidentally (Table 9.1). Some, however, cause major public health problems. Even though the variety of worm infections encountered in temperate lands is very limited, they are often overlooked, especially when imported by tourists or immigrants. There is no organ or organ system in which either worms or their larvae are not capable of establishing themselves. Therefore, the manner of transmission, degree of involvement, and type of therapy all are complicated.

Table 1 Table 9.1. Major pathogenic worms
Full size table

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Bibliography

General

  • Crompton DW (1999) How much human helminthiasis is there in the world? J Parasitol 85:397–403

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Silva N, Guyatt H, Bundy D (1997) Anthelmintics. A comparative review of their clinical pharmacology. Drugs 53:769–788

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Georgiev VS (1999) Parasitic infections. Treatment and developmental therapeutics. 1. Necatoriasis. Curr Pharm Des 5:545–554

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur V (1997) Tropical diseases and women. Clin Dermatol 15:171–178

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu LX, Weller PF (1996) Antiparasitic drugs. N Engl J Med 334:1178–1784

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lucchina LC, Wilson ME, Drake LA (1997) Dermatology and the recently returned traveler: infectious diseases with dermatologic manifestations. Int J Dermatol 36: 167–181

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Enterobiasis

  • Avolio L, Avoltini V, Ceffa F et al. (1998) Perianal granuloma caused by Enterobius vermicularis: report of a new observation and review of the literature. J Pediatr 132: 1055–1056

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hugot JP, Reinhard KJ, Gardner SL et al. (1999) Human enterobiasis in evolution: Origin, specificity, and transmission. Parasite 6:201–208

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Villarreal O, Villarreal JJ, Domingo JA (1999) Progressive eosinophilia and elevated IgE in enterobiasis. Allergy 54:646–648

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Ascariasis

  • De Almeida MM, Arede C, Marta CS et al. (1998) Atopy and enteroparasites. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 30:291–294

    Google Scholar 

  • Dold S, Heinrich J, Wichmann HE et al. (1998) Ascarisspecific IgE and allergic sensitization in a cohort of school children in the former East Germany. J Allergy Clin Immunol 102:414–420

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarinas PS, Chitkara RK (1997) Ascariasis and hookworm. Semin Respir Infect 12:130–137

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Trichinosis

  • Clausen MR, Meyer CN, Krantz T et al. (1996) Trichinella infection and clinical disease. QJM 89:631–636

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ko RC (1997) A brief update on the diagnosis of trichinellosis. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1:S91–S98

    Google Scholar 

Ancylostomiasis

  • Grencis RK, Cooper ES (1996) Enterobius, trichuris, capillaria, and hookworm, including Ancylostoma caninum. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 25:579–597

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hotez PJ, Pritchard DI (1995) Hookworm infection. Sci Am 272:68–74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prociv P, Croese J (1996) Human enteric infection with Ancylostoma caninum: Hookworms reappraised in the light of a “new” zoonosis. Acta Trop 62:23–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prociv P, Luke RA (1995) The changing epidemiology of human hookworm infection in Australia. Med J Aust 162: 150–154

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarinas PS, Chitkara RK (1997) Ascariasis and hookworm. Semin Respir Infect 12:130–137

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Cutaneous Larva Migrans

  • Albanese G, Di Cintio R, Beneggi M et al. (1993) Creeping eruption: a review of clinical presentation and management of 60 cases presenting to a tropical disease unit. Arch Dermatol 129:588–591

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elgart MLE (1998) Creeping eruption. Arch Dermatol 134: 619–620

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goto Y, Tamura A, Ishikawa O et al. (1998) Creeping eruption caused by a larva of the suborder Spirurina type X. Br J Dermatol 139:315–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lucchina LC, Wilson ME, Drake LA (1997) Dermatology and the recently returned traveler: infectious diseases with dermatologic manifestations. Int J Dermatol 36: 167–181

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sala G (1995) Larva migrans in Italy. Int J Dermatol 34: 464–465

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan TK, English JC III (1998) Cutaneous larva migrans complicated by erythema multiforme. Cutis 62:33–35

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Dirofilariasis

  • Degardin P, Simonart JM (1996) Dirofilariasis, a rare, usually imported dermatosis. Dermatology 192:398–399

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jelinek T, Schulte-Hillen J, Loscher T (1996) Human dirofilariasis. Int J Dermatol 35:872–875

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marty P (1997) Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens in France. A review of reported cases. Parassitologia 39:383–386

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orihel TC, Helentjaris D, Alger J (1997) Subcutaneous dirofilariasis: single inoculum, multiple worms. Am J Trop Med Hyg 56:452–455

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pampiglione S, Gupta AP (1998) Presence of Dirofilaria repens and an insect immunocyte (plasmatocyte) in a human subcutaneous nodule, induced by a mosquito bite. Parassitologia 40:343–346

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Santamaria B, Di Sacco B, Muro A et al. (1995) Serological diagnosis of subcutaneous dirofilariasis. Clin Exp Dermatol 20:19–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van den Ende J, Kumar V, van Gompel A et al. (1995) Subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria (nochtiella) repens in a Belgian patient. Int J Dermatol 34: 274–277

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Visceral Larva Migrans

  • Chitkara RK, Sarinas PS (1997) Dirofilaria, visceral larva migrans, and tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. Semin Respir Infect 12:138 – 148

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurokawa M, Ogata K, Sagawa S et al. (1998) Cutaneous and visceral larva migrans due to Gnathostoma doloresi infection via an unusual route. Arch Dermatol 134: 638–639

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan JS (1997) Human zoonotic infections transmitted by dogs and cats. Arch Intern Med 22:1933 – 1943

    Article  Google Scholar 

Strongyloidiasis

  • Arthur RP, Shelley WB (1958) Larva currens: a distinctive variant of cutaneous larva migrans due to Strongyloides stercoralis. Arch Dermatol 78:186–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Füllerborn F (1926) Hautguaddeln und “Autoinfektion” bei Strongyloidisträgern. Arch Schiffs Tropen-Hyg 30: 721–732

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob CI, Patten SF (1999) Strongyloides stercoralis infection presenting as generalized prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex chronicus. J Am Acad Dermatol 41:357–361

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kao D, Murakawa GJ, Kerschmann R et al. (1996) Disseminated strongyloidiasis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Arch Dermatol 132:977–978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield LS, Niamatali S, Bhopale V et al. (1996) Strongyloides stercoralis: maintenance of exceedingly chronic infections. Am J Trop Med Hyg 55:617–624

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Trichuriasis

  • Beach MJ, Addiss DG, Roberts JM et al. (1999a) Treatment of trichuris infection with albendazole. Lancet 16:237–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beach MJ, Streit TG, Addiss DG et al. (1999b) Assessment of combined ivermectin and albendazole for treatment of intestinal helminth and Wuchereria bancrofti infections in Haitian schoolchildren. Am J Trop Med Hyg 60:479–486

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee WS, Boey CC (1999) Chronic diarrhoea in infants and young children: causes, clinical features, and outcome. J Paediatr Child Health 35:260–263

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Filariasis

  • Chandrashekar R (1997) Recent advances in diagnosis of filarial infections. Indian J Exp Biol 35:18–26

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham NM (1997) Lymphatic filariasis in immigrants from developing countries. Am Fam Physician 55:1199–1204

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meyrowitsch DW, Nguyen DT, Hoang TH et al. (1998) A review of the present status of lymphatic filariasis in Vietnam. Acta Trop 70:335–347

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Orihel TC, Eberhard ML (1998) Zoonotic filariasis. Clin Microbiol Rev 11:366–381

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Loiasis

  • Chandrashekar R (1997) Recent advances in diagnosis of filarial infections. Indian J Exp Biol 35:18 – 26

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Viragh PA, Guggisberg D, Derighetti M et al. (1998) Monosymptomatic Loa loa infection. Dermatology 197: 303–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Onchocerciasis

Dracunculiasis

  • Hopkins DR, Ruiz-Tiben E, Ruebush T Jr et al. (1995) Dracunculiasis eradication: March 1994 update. Am J Trop Med Hyg 52:14–20

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter JM (1996) An introduction to guinea worm on the eve of its departure: dracunculiasis transmission, health effects, ecology, and control. Soc Sci Med 43:1399–1425

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumate J (1997) Infectious diseases in the 21st century. Arch Med Res 28:155–161

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molyneux DH (1998) Vector-borne parasitic diseases — an overview of recent changes. Int J Parasitol 28:927–934

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Taeniasis and Cysticercosis

  • Juckett G (1995) Common intestinal helminths. Am Fam Physician 52:2039–2048, 2051–2052

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamal MM, Grover SV (1995) Cytomorphology of subcutaneous cysticercosis. A report of 10 cases. Acta Cytol 39:809–812

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsushima H, Hatamochi A, Shinkai H et al. (1998) A case of subcutaneous cysticercosis. J Dermatol 25:438–442

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt DK, Jordaan HF, Schneider JW et al. (1995) Cerebral and subcutaneous cysticercosis treated with albendazole. Int J Dermatol 34:574–579

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Other Tapeworms

  • Griffin MP, Tompkins KJ, Ryan MT (1996) Cutaneous sparganosis. Am J Dermatopathol 18:70–72

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris NR, Reifsnyder DN (1997) Subcutaneous living sparganum worms. Plast Reconstr Surg 99:2120–2121

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson JW, Bass JW, Demers DM, Myers GB (1997) Diphyllobothriasis after eating raw salmon. Hawaii Med J 56:176–177

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeong SC, Bae JC, Hwang SH et al. (1998) Cerebral sparganosis with intracerebral hemorrhage: a case report. Neurology 50:503–506

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Echinococcosis

  • Altintas N (1998) Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in Turkey. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 92:637–642

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ambo M, Adachi K, Ohkawara A (1999) Postoperative alveolar hydatid disease with cutaneous-subcutaneous involvement. J Dermatol 26:343–347

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhojraj SY, Shetty NR (1999) Primary hydatid disease of the spine: An unusual cause of progressive paraplegia. Case report and review of the literature. J Neurosurg 91:S216–3S218

    Google Scholar 

  • Bresson-Hadni S, Humbert P, Paintaud G et al. (1996) Skin localization of alveolar echinococcosis of the liver. J Am Acad Dermatol 34:873–877

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conchedda M, Palmas C, Bortoletti G, et al. (1997) Hydatidosis: a comprehensive view of the Sardinian case. Parassitologia 39:359–366

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erdener A, Sahin AH, Ozcan C (1999) Primary pancreatic hydatid disease in a child: case report and review of the literature. J Pediatr Surg 34:491–492

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • John M, Poole JE, Friedland IR (1995) Posterior neck mass in a 4-year-old boy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 14:1119, 1122–1124

    Google Scholar 

  • Miguet JP (1996) Skin localization of alveolar echinococcosis of the liver. J Am Acad Dermatol 34:873–877

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vuitton DA (1997) The WHO Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis. Coordinating Board of the WHO-IWGE. Parassitologia 39:349–353

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Schistosimiasis

  • Andrade Filho J de S, Lopes MS, Corgozinho Filho AA et al. (1998) Ectopic cutaneous schistosomiasis: report of two cases and a review of the literature. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 40:253–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrell AM, Woodrow D, Bryceson AD, et al. (1996) Ectopic cutaneous schistosomiasis: extragenital involvement with progressive upward spread. Br J Dermatol 135: 110–112

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur V (1997) Tropical diseases and women. Clin Dermatol 15:171–178

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambertucci JR, Rayes AA, Serufo JC et al. (1998) Schistosomiasis and associated infections. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 93:S135–S139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mas-Coma MS, Esteban JG, Bargues MD (1999) Epidemiology of human fascioliasis: a review and proposed new classification. Bull World Health Organ 77:340–346

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rocha MO, Greco DB, Pedroso ER et al. (1995) Secondary cutaneous manifestations of acute schistosomiasis mansoni. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 89:425–430

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Swimmers’ Itch and Seabather’s Eruption

  • Bastert J, Sing A, Wollenberg A et al. (1999) Aquarium dermatitis: Cercarial dermatitis in an aquarist. Dermatology 197:84–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamot E, Toscani L, Rougemont A (1998) Public health importance and risk factors for cercarial dermatitis associated with swimming in Lake Leman at Geneva, Switzerland. Epidemiol Infect 120:305–314

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Hlady WG, Malecki JM (1997) Risk factors for seabather’s eruption: a prospective cohort study. Public Health Rep 112:59–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindblade KA (1998) The epidemiology of cercarial dermatitis and its association with immunological characteristics of a northern Michigan lake. J Parasitol 84:19–23

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacSween RM, Williams HC (1996) Seabather’s eruption — a case of Caribbean itch. BMJ 312:957–958

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Segura Puertas L, Burnett JW, Heimer de la Cotera E (1999) The medusa stage of the coronate scyphomedusa Linuche unguiculata (thimble jellyfish) can cause seabather’s eruption. Dermatology 198:171–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

Other Trematodes

  • Mirdha BR, Gulati S, Sarkar T, Samantray JC (1998) Acute Clonorchiasis in a child. Indian J Gastroenterol 17:155

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shekhar KC (1995) Food-borne parasitoses in Malaysia. Epidemiological assessment and research needs. J R Soc Health 115:178–185

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shekhar KC, Nazarina AR, Lee SH et al. (1995) Clonorchiasis/Opisthorchiasis in Malaysians. Case reports and review. Med J Malaysia 50:182–186

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woo PC, Lie AK, Yuen KY et al. (1998) Clonorchiasis in bone marrow transplant recipients. Clin Infect Dis 27:382–384

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Frauenlobstraße 9-11, D-80337, Munich, Germany

    Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c.mult. Otto Braun-Falco (Emeritus Professor and Chairman), Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Plewig (Professor and Chairman) & Walter H. C. Burgdorf M.D. (Clinical Lecturer)

  2. Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23562, Lübeck, Germany

    Prof. Dr. med. Helmut H. Wolff (Professor and Chairman)

Authors
  1. Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c.mult. Otto Braun-Falco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Plewig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Prof. Dr. med. Helmut H. Wolff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Walter H. C. Burgdorf M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Braun-Falco, O., Plewig, G., Wolff, H.H., Burgdorf, W.H.C. (2000). Diseases Caused by Worms. In: Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-97931-6_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-97931-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-97933-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-97931-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation