Ascarisis is an infection by a roundworm (ascaris), the largest of all intestinal parasites. Roundworms are not very common in U.S.

, but they are in other parts of the world. The worms live in the small intestine and worm eggs are passed through the stool. If a person goes to the bathroom outside, or if human sewage is used for fertilizer, the dirt can become infected with worm eggs. Eating food grown in contaminated soil or putting your fingers in your mouth after touching infected dirt can spread the parasite.