Question

A person is suffering from Ascariasis. Mention the pathogen causing the disease and an organ of the body affected, three symptoms and one mode of transmission of the disease.

Answer 1

Ascariasis is a common helminthic infection caused by Ascaris lumbricoides. The larvae develops inside the eggs and once, the eggs are ingested, they hatch out in the intestine of the host. They penetrate the wall of the intestine and reach the lungs via the bloodstream. In the lungs, they break into the alveolar spaces and mature as they migrate to the respiratory route. Symptoms include internal bleeding, muscular pain, anemia etc. The eggs of adult Ascaris are excreted along with the faeces of an infected person and contaminate soil, water etc. A healthy person is infected by these eggs through water, food, raw vegetables etc.