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Nematodes - capillariasis

Introduction, etiology

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Infection is transmitted by eggs or larvae which begin their cycle of development within the human host when, depending on the species, they either actively penetrate intact skin or are ingested or, very rarely, inhaled. The larvae of the most widely prevalent species remain dormant but potentially infective for long periods in contaminated soil; the larvae or cysts of other species are ingested when the flesh of reservoir hosts is eaten either raw or undercooked. Capillariasis may be of intestinal, hepatic or pulmonary forms.

Capillaria philippinensis in endemic in the Philippines and Southern Thailand where fish provide a reservoir of infection. Intestinal colonisation occurs as a result of eating raw or undercooked fish.

Recommended treatments

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Intestional capillariasis
mebendazole
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chewable tablet, 100 mg, 500 mg

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Adults and children over 2 years:
200 mg daily for 20-30 days

For mass treatment control programmes
Adults and children over 2 years:
500 mg as a single dose 4 times a year
or
albendazole
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chewable tablet, 400 mg

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Adults and children over 2 years:
400 mg daily for 10 days

References
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Food safety associated with products from aquaculture - report of a joint FAO/NACA/WHO study group, 1999, WHO Technical Report Series 883, 1999
   http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/fs_management/aquaculture/en/
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WHO Model Prescribing Information. Drugs used in parasitic diseases second edition, 1995. 146 pages [E, F, S] ISBN 92 4 140104 4 Sw.fr. 35.-/US $31.50. In developing countries Sw.fr.24.50.
  Sales Information: http://www.who.int/bookorders/index.htm
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Intestinal nematodes: WHO link page
   http://www.who.int/health-topics/intestinal.htm
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Report of the WHO Informal Consultation on the use of praziquantel during pregnancy/lactation and albendazole/mebendazole in children under 24 months, Geneva, 8-9 April, 2002, WHO/CDS/CPE/PVC/2002.4
   http://www.who.int/wormcontrol/documents/en/pvc_20024full.pdf
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Benzimidazoles: use in children, Essential Medicines, WHO Drug Information, Vol 17, No. 1, 2003
   http://www.who.int/druginformation/vol17num1_2003/vol17-1.pdf

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