Aspects of the Intensity of Infection of Ascaris lumbricoides (Nematoda)

Gibson, Heather E (1993) Aspects of the Intensity of Infection of Ascaris lumbricoides (Nematoda). MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Various aspects of the intensity of infection of Ascaris lumbricoides were investigated, in particular trends in intensity of infection and the impact of high worm burdens on human populations. It was concluded that generative mechanisms of intensity trends cannot be determined precisely unless the role of the immune response is clearly defined. Acute pathology due to high worm burden is well documented. The public health significance of the larval migratory stage has not been fully determined due to difficulties inherent in its measurement. The role intensity of infection plays in nutritional disturbances and thus malnutrition has not been fully assessed. Transmission dynamics are affected by intensity, with those most heavily infected shedding the highest number of eggs into the environment. Chonotherapeutic control measures must also take intensity trends into account to determine the best protocol to use. The methods used to measure Ascaris intensity were reviewed. Egg counts are the most cormon method being simple, inexpensive and having little impact on host lifestyle. The relationship between faecal egg count and worm burden was studied using a large data set (n = 681) of corresponding egg and worm counts from different areas of the world. It was concluded that the observed relationship between egg count and worm burden was very variable. However, egg counts may be of use as a semi-quantitative measure of intensity as after some manipulation of the data to reduce variation sane correlation between egg count and worm burden could be ascertained.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: D W T Crompton
• Keywords: Parasitology
• Date of Award: 1993
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1993-76365
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 15:21
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 15:21
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76365