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Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
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Ascaris lumbricoides: A Clinical Case Report
Melissa Dawn Harlan1, Becky L Faett, Susan E Miller
1Melissa Dawn Harlan, Becky L. Faett, and Susan E. Miller are assistant professors, and Patricia K. Tuite is an associate professor, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA. Contact author: Melissa Dawn Harlan, mdh71@pitt.edu. The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
The American Journal of Nursing
|April 24, 2025
Summary
This case report details a 31-year-old woman's experience with ascariasis, a soil-transmitted helminth infection caused by Ascaris lumbricoides. It highlights the clinical aspects, diagnosis, and management of this widespread parasitic disease.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Parasitology
- * Global Health
Background:
- * Ascariasis, caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, is a prevalent soil-transmitted helminth infection affecting approximately 1 billion people worldwide.
- * The infection is common in rural and impoverished areas with inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene.
- * Ascaris lumbricoides transmission occurs through the ingestion of contaminated soil, water, or food.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To present a case report of ascariasis in a 31-year-old woman residing in South America.
- * To discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for ascariasis.
- * To outline nursing management considerations for patients with suspected Ascaris lumbricoides infection.
Main Methods:
- * Case report detailing a patient's clinical presentation and medical history.
- * Review of diagnostic methods for identifying Ascaris lumbricoides infection.
- * Discussion of established treatment protocols and nursing care.
Main Results:
- * The case report follows a 31-year-old female patient who developed ascariasis.
- * The report covers the clinical signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings associated with the infection.
- * Treatment and nursing interventions for the patient are discussed.
Conclusions:
- * Ascariasis remains a significant global health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings.
- * Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, coupled with effective nursing care, are crucial for managing Ascaris lumbricoides infections.
- * This case underscores the importance of understanding the clinical spectrum and management of soil-transmitted helminthiasis.
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