Paper II
Question
Mention two important complications of ascaris lumbricoides infestation
Answer
Two important complications of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation:
- Intestinal obstruction — a heavy worm burden (a bolus of tangled adult worms) can mechanically obstruct the intestinal lumen, particularly in children with heavy infection — a significant cause of surgical emergency in endemic areas.
- Biliary/pancreatic duct obstruction — adult worms can migrate into and obstruct the common bile duct or pancreatic duct, causing biliary colic, cholangitis, or acute pancreatitis.
(Other valid examples: pulmonary Löffler’s syndrome during larval lung migration; appendicitis from worm migration into the appendiceal lumen.)