ECHINOSTOMA ILOCANUM

echinostomids are digenetic trematodes characterized by a collar of spines aroun

d their oral suckers
several species infect humans (2 in the Philippines E.ilocanum and Artyfechinost
omum malayanum)
mode of transmission is ingestion of metacercariae encysted in snails
Adults
Color: reddish-gray
Dimensions: 2.5-6.6mm x 1-1.35mm (lw)
Shape: resembles coffee bean; round anteriorly, tapers posteriorly
Integument: covered with single spaced spines
Reproductive organs:
2 lobed testes arranged in tandem at the third quarter of the body
ovary anterior to testes and posterior to
ventral sucker; w/ six long unbranched lobes
other:
vitellaria are follicular
in the posterior half of the body
tapered at posterior end and has 49- 51 collar spines
oral sucker lies in center of circumoral disk
ventral sucker situated at the
anterior fifth
uterine coils found between the
ovary and ventral sucker
LIFE CYCLE
Adults
once attached to the wall of the S.I., they mature sexually into adult worms
live in the intestines of definitive hosts
Definitive host: Man, dogs, cats, rats, pigs
Eggs
released by adult worms and transported to the environment through the feces
matures in water
Miracidium
hatches from the egg after 6-15 days and infects snail
1st intermediate host: Snail (Gyralus convexiusculus and Hippeutis umbilicalis)
Redia
- No sporocyst stage
- develops from the miracidium inside the snail
- mother redia produce daughter redia and cercaria after 42-50 days
Cercaria
escapes from the snail and swims in water and seeks 2nd intermediate host
Metacercaria
- Cercaria develops into metacercaria in 2° intermediate host
- 2nd intermediate host: snail (Pila luzonica â kuholâ
and Vivipara angularis â susong pampangâ )
- once ingested, metacercaria excyst and juvenile flukes attach themselves to th
e wall of the small intestine
PATHOGENESIS AND CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
heavy infections â inflammation develops at site of attachment
ulceration and consequently diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and abdominal pain may d
evelop
general intoxication after absorption of metabolites of worms
DIAGNOSIS and TREATMENT
detection of eggs in the stool
echinostomes, fasciola and buski eggs look very much alike
Praziquantel
EPIDEMIOLOGY
endemic in Northern Luzon, Leyte, Samar and provinces of Mindanao
also in SEA and East Asian countries
endemicity is related to eating habits of population
2nd intermediate host are abundant in rice fields especially during the wet mont
hs
Reservoir host : rat
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
avoiding ingestion of improperly cooked 2nd intermediate hosts