[Interpretation of Diagnosis of Ascariasis (WS/565-2017)]

Ascariasis once was a common disease in rural areas of China. It is showed that the average infection rate of Ascaris lumbricoides in China was 1.36% according to the results of the national survey of important human parasitic diseases in 2015. Although the prevalence of ascariasis has been greatly reduced as compared with that at the beginning of this century, ascariasis is still widespread in China. The Diagnostic Criteria for Ascariasis (WS/565-2017) was promulgated and implemented by the former National Health and Family Planning Commission on August 1st, 2017. This Diagnostic Criteria for Ascariasis is composed of six chapters, including the Range of Application, Terms and Definitions, Diagnostic Basis, Diagnostic Principle, Diagnostic Standard, and Differential Diagnosis. Four informative appendixes (etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, and differential diagnosis) and one normative appendix (laboratory examination) are appended. The criteria provide the technical reference for diagnosis of ascariasis in medical institutions and disease control institutions. Combined with the current epidemic situation of ascariasis in China, this paper interprets the main contents of the Diagnostic Criteria for Ascariasis (WS/565-2017), so as to promote its learning and implementation.