Enterobius Vermicularis Infection

Introduction Enterobius vermicularis, the pinworm of man, is probably the most cosmopolitan of all the helminthic parasites. Fortunately, it is relatively innocuous. It is, however, enough of a pathogen to cause irritating symptoms in a great number of those persons infected. In spite of its prevalence, relatively little is known of the host-parasite relationship. Many studies have been initiated toward finding a good chemotherapeutic agent for this infection. Unfortunately, the human pinworm has a narrow host range, and will not infect the usual laboratory animals. As a result, the mouse pinworms, Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera, have been utilized in drug screening.1-5My studies6,7of the host-parasite relationship of the mouse pinworm have shown differences in infection rate and worm burden associated with the sex and age of the host. These results prompted the present study. This report is directed toward answering 2 questions about the relationships of