Capillaria philippinensis

Epidemiology

• nematode normally found in fish-eating birds
• humans acquire infection by ingesting raw or incompletely cooked fish containing infective larvae
• cases reported in Philippines, Thailand, Asia, Middle East, South America

Pathology

• capillariasis

Clinical manifestations

• asymptomatic
• diarrhea

Laboratory

• passage of eggs, larvae & even adult worms in feces
• diagnosis made by recovery of eggs in feces
  • 36-45 by 21 um
  • thick, radially striated shells & inconspicuous mucoid plugs
  • resemble those of Trichuris

Management

• antihelmintic agents
  • mebendazole
  • albendazole
• severe infections may require hospitalization, supportive therapy & prolonged use of antihelmintic agents

More general terms

• Capillaria

Additional terms

• capillariasis