Gastric ascariasis: a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding in infants with ascariasis

Although infestation with Ascaris lumbricoides causes various intestinal complications, massive gastrointestinal bleeding is rare. The authors report on 2 infants who presented with massive hematemesis. In the first patient, a gastroduodenoscopy was performed. Roundworms were found adhering to an oozing duodenal ulcer. Duodenal perforation occurred after extraction of the parasites. The second case was hematemesis together with peritonitis. Exploration found volvulus and a gangrenous segment of the distal ileum. Both infants previously passed roundworms with their stool. The authors conclude that the intestinal ascariasis can be a cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in temperate and tropical countries.

Pharmacotherapy of ascariasis

Ascaris lumbricoides, the most frequent human intestinal nematode, is the causative agent of ascariasis, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of over one billion people, especially in moist tropical and subtropical regions, but also in cooler climates. Although characterised with low morbidity and mortality rates, the global prevalence of ascariasis still results in approximately 20,000 deaths annually, primarily as a consequence of intestinal obstruction. In humans, transmission usually occurs by hand-to-mouth route by way of contaminated agricultural products and food, or from dirty hands. Three phases of ascariasis may be present, namely, the pulmonary, intestinal and the complications stage. Although generally asymptomatic, heavy infestation may cause serious pulmonary disease, or partial or complete obstruction of biliary or intestinal tracts. Anthelminthic chemotherapy is required to eradicate the parasites and prevent potentially serious complications. Mebendazole, albendazole and pyrantel pamoate are the most widely used agents to treat ascariasis. Preventive chemotherapy delivered to communities in endemic regions may serve as an affordable and cost-effective strategy to reduce the prevalence and morbidity in endemic regions. Under unusual circumstances, Ascaris suum, the cause of helminthic infection in pigs, may also cause disease in humans.