GLOSSARY

Amoeba (Ameba)
A single-celled organism that has no rigid body structure. Examples of parasitic amoebae include Entamoeba histolytica (cause of amoebic dysentery) and Naegleria sp. and Acanthamoeba sp. (causes of eosinophilic meningitis). Amoebae usually move around in water and take in food by extending pseudopods.

Ascaris lumbricoides (Ascariasis, Intestinal Roundworm)
The adult A lumbricoides is a large, cream-colored worm. Adult males are 6-12 inches (15-30cm) in length, and adult females are 8-14 inches (20-35cm) in length. Signs include passage of adult worm(s) from mouth or anus; wheezing (early infection); mild abdominal tenderness (established infection). Uncommon in the US (approximately 1.5% of people are infected, mainly in the rural southeast), it affects more than 25% of the population of Third World nations.

Dysentery
An inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract, usually caused by a bacterial, parasitic, or protozoan infection and resulting in pain, fever, and severe diarrhea, often accompanied by the passage of blood and mucus.

Giardiasis (Giardia)
An intestinal tract infection caused by Giardia lamblia, a flagellate protozoa now common to much of the world. It is not normally a very serious infection, but nevertheless unpleasant.

Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostomiasis, Hookworms, Necator americanus)
Hookworms average about 2/5 of an inch (10mm) in length and live in the small intestine of the host. The most common effect from hookworm infections is a varying degree of anemia.

Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.

Pinworms (Enterobiasis, Enterobious vermicularis, Oxyuriasis, Pinworm, Pinworm Infection, Seatworm, Threadworm)
Small intestinal parasitic worms that infect mainly children but which are also common in families with children. Pinworms are about 1/2 an inch (1.25cm) in length, white, thin and pointed at both ends. The most common symptom is anal itching, as the worms come out at night to lay their eggs.

Strongyloides stercoralis (Larva Currens, Strongyloidiasis)
A roundworm that has the capacity to replicate itself in humans. These parasites are found in hot, humid areas and usually produce no symptoms although there may be mild skin and abdominal symptoms in few cases; hives (urticaria) is seen usually in the buttocks and wrists; there may me peptic ulcer-like pain aggravated by food intake.

Trichinosis (Trichinella spiralis, Trichinellosis)
A disease caused by ingestion of raw or insufficiently cooked meat (usually pork) containing Trichinella larvae. The disease has variable clinical manifestations including diarrhea, eosinophilia, fever, myalgia and periorbital edema. The incubation period varies between 5 and 45 days. GI symptoms may appear within a few days, whereas the systemic symptoms usually appear about 8 to 15 days after ingestion of infected meat.

Whipworm (Trichuriasis, Trichuris trichiura, Whipworms)
An intestinal parasitic worm, approximately 1.5 inches (4cm) in length. Usually symptomless, heavy infections - especially in small children - can cause gastrointestinal problems (abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal prolapse) and possibly growth retardation.