蛔虫是一种多肉的圆柱形线虫，是寄居在人类肠道内最大的线虫。成年雄虫和雌虫的寿命约为一年，在此期间，一条雌虫每天可以产高达 200,000 个卵。[1]Seltzer E, Barry M, Crompton DWT. Ascariasis. In: Guerrant RL, Walker DH, Weller PF, eds. Tropical infectious diseases: principles, pathogens and practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2006:1257-1264.[2]Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M, et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet. 2006;367:1521-1532.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16679166?tool=bestpractice.com
估计全世界有 8 至 12 亿人被感染，其中绝大多数为发展中国家的儿童。[2]Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M, et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet. 2006;367:1521-1532.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16679166?tool=bestpractice.com
[3]de Silva NR, Chan MS, Bundy DA. Morbidity and mortality due to ascariasis: re-estimation and sensitivity analysis of global numbers at risk. Trop Med Int Health. 1997;2:519-528.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9236818?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]de Silva NR, Brooker S, Hotez PJ, et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: updating the global picture. Trends Parasitol. 2003;19:547-551.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14642761?tool=bestpractice.com
虽然通常没有症状，但蛔虫病可以造成胃肠道和肝胆管梗阻，并导致儿童认知和生长延迟。[1]Seltzer E, Barry M, Crompton DWT. Ascariasis. In: Guerrant RL, Walker DH, Weller PF, eds. Tropical infectious diseases: principles, pathogens and practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2006:1257-1264.[2]Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M, et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet. 2006;367:1521-1532.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16679166?tool=bestpractice.com
