Capillariasis

Habitat

• Within the body of its host, the larvae of C. hepatica hatch in the small intestine and spend most of their juvenile life migrating towards the liver, which is the final destination of the adults

• The unembryonated eggs are excreted from the host and are deposited in the soil

EFFECTS

on the human body

Life Cycle of Capillariasis

Capillaria hepatica

• males are 24-37 mm long and .04 to .08 mm in diameter
• females are approximately 53-78 mm in length and 0.19 mm in diameter
• ectothermic, heterothermic, bilateral symmetry

FACT!

• When a human is infected with only one C. hepatica worm, there are often no signs or symptoms
• The clinical manifestations of C. hepatica include hepatitis, anemia, fever, hypereosinophilia, and even death

• When a human is first infected with C. philippinensis, the signs and symptoms include general abdominal pain and diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and even death can occur.

History

• Human intestinal capillariasis is rare
• The CDC reports only 1500 documented cases of intestinal capillariasis since 1963, with a 10% case-fatality rate
• Hepatic capillariasis in humans is extremely rare, with a maximum of 50 cases documented worldwide

Capillaria philippinensis (ADULT)

• males are 2.3 to 3.2 mm
• females are 2.5 to 4.3 mm

• C. philippinensis- (a.k.a 'Pudoc worm') endemic in the Philippines
• alias based on the name of location where the disease and worm were first discovered (1963)
• 1962, a healthy young man from Luzon, Philippines, fell ill, suffering from the key symptoms that we now recognize as a parasitic Capillaria infection.
• Examination revealed large number of C. philippinensis worms in large & small intestines
• He was the first documented casualty of human intestinal capillariasis

• C. hepatica has been recorded in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North, Central and South America
• The eggs of C. hepatica can withstand various weather conditions
• may remain in the soil for long periods of time (1 year), which has contributed to the success of this species in different climates

Treatment

So, how do we avoid contact with CAPILLARIASIS?

Medications Used in Treatment

• Medications and treatment options are available for both forms of capillariasis

• Lack of treatment could lead to death

• Medications used to treat C. hepatica include thiabendazole and albendazole
• BUT, C. hepatica is a rare infection and clinical experience is limited
• Steroids have been used to help control the inflammation of the liver.

• Medications used to treat C. philippinensis include mebendazole and albendazole

HOW TO CONTRACT CAPILLARIASIS

FACT!

CAPILLARIASIS is most common in:

• children with a history of pica
• areas with poor hygiene and high rodent populations

C. heptica-

• Transferred through fecal matter of infected animals & can lead to hepatitis.

In order to prevent both types of capillariasis, proper hygiene and disposal of fecal matter is important.

• Specific latrines should be used that are both out of reach from animals and will not let fecal matter seep into the water or around the food supply.
• Washing your hands with soap and warm water after touching or working with soil and before handling food.
• Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
• Do NOT eat raw or undercooked fish.

• A craving for something that is not normally regarded as nutritive, such as dirt, clay, paper, or chalk

(Child with pica disorder)

FACT!

C. philippinensis-

• Transferred through ingesting infected, small, freshwater fish & can lead to diarrhea & emaciation.

Humans contract these infections by ingesting soil that has been infected by the infected feces of animals harboring the parasite.

CAPILLARIASIS

is most commonly found in the Philippines but cases have also been documented in:

Thailand,

Iran,

Japan,

Egypt,

South of Taiwan (Kaoh-Siung),

Korea,

Italy,

Spain, and

Colombia

EMACIATION:

abnormal thinness caused by lack of nutrition or by disease.

Pictures:

• http://www.pathbio.sdu.edu.cn/sdjsc/webteaching/pic/Atlas/379.jpg
• http://web.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2005/Capillariasis/capillaria%20images/adult%20worm.jpg
• www.cdc.gov/dpdx/images/hepaticCapillariasis/C_hepatica_LifeCycle.gif
• http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/medium/media/2012/baby_eating_dirt_img_1_jpg_90849.jpg

Bibliography

Definitions:

• emaciation- dictionary.reference.com/browse/emaciation
• capillariasis- www.cdc.gov/parasites/capillaria/faqs.html
• pica- www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4894

Websites:

• http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/capillaria/
• http://web.stanford.edu/group/parasites/ParaSites2002/capillariasis/history%20and%20epidemiology.html
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Capillaria_hepatica/
• www.cdc.gov/parasites/capillaria/biology_c_philippinensis.html

Capillariasis

By definition, "is a parasitic infection caused by two species of nematodes, Capillaria hepatica, which causes hepatic capillariasis, and Capillaria philippinensis, which causes intestinal capillariasis."