The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7418 p343-346
16 September 2006

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Parasitic worm infestations

In this article, Christine Clark describes worm infestations that pharmacists in the UK might encounter, and their treatments

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SUMMARY

Many species of worm are parasitic and have humans as their hosts. In developing countries worm infestations are a major problem and can result in growth deficiencies in children, deformities and blindness, and organ damage. Fortunately the UK is not affected by species of worm that cause such problems but infestations by less harmful species exist.

Parasitic worm (helminth) infestations are caused by three groups of worms: nematodes (roundworms), trematodes (flukes) and cestodes (tapeworms). The most common worm infestation in the UK is threadworm.

Large roundworm (commonly simply referred to as roundworm), hookworm and whipworm infestations are endemic in tropical and subtropical countries and in the UK they are usually found in immigrants or travellers. The increasing popularity of travel to exotic destinations could lead to an increase in these types of infestation. Pharmacists should be aware that such travel could also expose people to the risk of other tropical worm infestations, such as schistosomiasis.

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