Trichostrongyliasis

Trichostrongyliasis is a intestinal nematode infection, which are usually asymptomatic. In heavy infections, patients may have anemia, eosinophilia, and weight loss. The many species are common parasites of herbivorous mammals. Humans become infected after ingesting larvae from animal feces.

CASES/YEAR
1 (US); 1,000 (Global)
CATEGORY
Intestinal Nematodes
AGENT TYPE
Helminths
OTHER NAMES
Trichostrongylus orientalis; T. colubriformis; T. vitrinus; T. axei; T. capricola; T. probolurus; T. skrjabini;
ACUITY
Subacute/Chronic
INCUBATION
Guesstimate: several weeks;
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
Usually asymptomatic; In heavy infections, patients may have anemia, eosinophilia, and weight loss. [ID, p. 2365]
PRECAUTIONS
COMMENTS
The many species of Trichostrongylus are common parasites of herbivorous mammals. Humans become infected after ingesting larvae from animal feces. Eggs mature into infective larvae in the soil, and human infection occurs after ingesting contaminated soil or plants. Farmers taking care of sheep and goats are at increased risk for this rare infection. Patients may have a small amount of blood in stool. [ID, p. 2365; Guerrant, p. 780]
DIAGNOSTIC
Microscopic examination of stool sample: similar to hookworm eggs but larger with thicker walls; [Guerrant, p. 780]
SCOPE
Global, but endemic in the Middle East, India, North & Central Africa, SE Asia, Japan, Siberia, central & southern China, and southern republics in the former USSR; Cases reported in Australia, France, USA, and South America; [Guerrant, p. 780]
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
  • G blood in stool
  • G diarrhea
  • H anemia
  • H eosinophilia
  • *weight loss
ANTIMICROBIC

Yes

VACCINE

No

ENTRY
Ingestion
SOURCE
Fecally Contaminated Soil, Eating Contaminated Food, Eating Contaminated Produce
RESERVOIR
Cattle, Goats and Sheep
RISK FACTORS
  • Eat soil containing infective eggs
  • Ingest infectious agents in food/water
TREATMENT
In milder cases, treatment may be unnecessary. Thiabendazole has been used successfully with some cases of resistance reported. Pyrantel pamoate has been used successfully in Japan and Korea. [ID, p. 2365]
DRUG LINK
CDC Stacks: Trichostrongylus colubriformis Nematode Infections in Humans, France
REFERENCES FOR CASES/YEAR
1. (US) Guesstimate: 1 case/year;
2. (Global) Rare infection in people who take care of sheep and goats; Most infections are asymptomatic; [ID, p. 2365] Guesstimate: 1000 cases/year;