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Eel is an increasingly common parasitic disease, especially in the south-eastern regions of the country, widespread in the hot countries of Africa, America and Asia. It is caused by a small, thread-like worm, about 2 mm long, called the intestinal nematode and parasitizing in the small intestine. Man is its only host, and the parasite can live for about 1-2 years.
What is eel?
Eel is a parasitic disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract that it causes intestinal nematode. The reservoir of this worm is considered to be a human (the nematode parasites in the small intestine), and the source of infection – a person shedding the larva with the faeces. The eel is very common in the hot countries of Africa, Asia and America, where it spreads very quickly. It is related to the low sanitary standard. As for the temperate climate, cases of eel are found in closed environments, such as the army, prison, and in places where there are no basic principles of sanitary and hygienic protection of the soil against various types of pollution and human faeces. The intestinal nematode was brought to Poland from tropical countries, but fortunately it is relatively rare. Infection with intestinal nematodes occurs, inter alia, as a result of contact with soil contaminated with human faeces.
The causes of eel
The worm larvae enter the human body through the skin (mainly the legs), into the blood vessels, and then travel through the heart, lungs to the duodenum and more distant parts of the small intestine, where they nest and reach sexual maturity after 4 weeks. Larvae develop from the eggs that will then be laid, which then penetrate the lumen of the intestine and are excreted together with the faeces. Echinosis can also develop as a result of an infection through the ingestion (water, food) or as a superinfection through the skin around the anus. Eel infestation is also influenced by soil contaminated with human faeces.
Eczema – symptoms
The type of eel symptoms (as in any parasitic disease) depends on the intensity of the infection and the period of development of the parasite. They show periodic and seasonal variability. At the site of the larva’s entry, the following appears:
- itch,,
- itching
- petechiae,
- scratches,
- rash,
- secondary infections.
In turn, during the migration of the parasite larvae, the patient may develop:
- bronchitis,
- cough,
- blood plucking,
- dyspnoea,
- pneumonia.
During the intestinal period, patients complain of abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea with blood or pus, constipation, vomiting, flatulence, loss of appetite, and progressive weakness and emaciation.
The intestinal nematode is the parasite which, apart from the liver fluke, stimulates the formation of the strongest reaction and a large number of eosinophils in the blood.
How do we recognize eel?
The diagnosis of eel is made on the basis of the presence of the parasite or its larvae or eggs in the faeces, possibly in the duodenal content or occasionally even in the sputum. The microscopic examination of the stool is performed at 2-3 day intervals by means of e.g.
- thickening methods, e.g. flotation,
- direct smear.
Węgorzyca – treatment
Treatment should be carried out by a physician who has control over the effectiveness of the therapy, because the parasite is very resistant to treatment, and therefore often it does not bring any results. Therefore, they usually have to be repeated several times.
Eel – prevention
Prevention of infection with intestinal nematodes consists of:
- taking care of personal hygiene,
- ensuring that the surroundings are kept in a proper sanitary condition,
- wearing protective shoes and gloves when working in the field and in areas at risk of larvae infestation,
- scrupulous observance of the basic rules of hygiene of everyday nutrition (drinking only boiled liquids, eating vegetables and fruit only after washing them first, etc.).