Enterobius (Pinworm)

Trevor A. Crowell, M.D.
Enterobius (Pinworm) is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins ABX Guide.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • Pinworms are intestinal nematodes (aka roundworms).
  • Disease is also known as Enterobiasis or threadworm disease, caused by Enterobius vermicularis.
  • Epidemiology: worldwide. Most common nematode infection in the U.S., with 40 million cases per year.
    • Infection is mostly seen in children.
    • Increased prevalence with congestion, institutionalization and infestation within family members.
      • Larger family size is associated with increased risk.
  • The lifespan of worm is 11-35 days, so chronic disease is due to reinfection rather than persistent infection.
    • Eggs are deposited nocturnally in perianal/perineal regions.
    • Self-infection can occur by transferring eggs to the mouth after scratching the perianal area.
    • Eggs are transferred under contaminated fingernails, in dust and through contaminated clothes or linens.
  • Life cycle: (Figure 1)
    • Eggs are deposited on perianal folds by gravid females and transferred to the mouth by contamination of hands, clothes or bed linens.
    • Ingested eggs hatch into larvae in the small intestine.
    • Larvae mature into adults in the colon and gravid females migrate nocturnally outside the anus to lay eggs.
    • Each female worm can produce more than 10,000 eggs. Eggs remain viable for an average of 1-2 weeks. Infectivity decreases within 1 to 2 days in dry, warm environments.

-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please or --

MICROBIOLOGY

  • Pinworms are intestinal nematodes (aka roundworms).
  • Disease is also known as Enterobiasis or threadworm disease, caused by Enterobius vermicularis.
  • Epidemiology: worldwide. Most common nematode infection in the U.S., with 40 million cases per year.
    • Infection is mostly seen in children.
    • Increased prevalence with congestion, institutionalization and infestation within family members.
      • Larger family size is associated with increased risk.
  • The lifespan of worm is 11-35 days, so chronic disease is due to reinfection rather than persistent infection.
    • Eggs are deposited nocturnally in perianal/perineal regions.
    • Self-infection can occur by transferring eggs to the mouth after scratching the perianal area.
    • Eggs are transferred under contaminated fingernails, in dust and through contaminated clothes or linens.
  • Life cycle: (Figure 1)
    • Eggs are deposited on perianal folds by gravid females and transferred to the mouth by contamination of hands, clothes or bed linens.
    • Ingested eggs hatch into larvae in the small intestine.
    • Larvae mature into adults in the colon and gravid females migrate nocturnally outside the anus to lay eggs.
    • Each female worm can produce more than 10,000 eggs. Eggs remain viable for an average of 1-2 weeks. Infectivity decreases within 1 to 2 days in dry, warm environments.

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Last updated: January 12, 2020