NBME Answers : Block 2 : #19 = A 7-year-old boy who lives in Kentucky is brought ...

+0 upvote downvote
submitted by b1ackcoffee(8),

I am wondering which parasite is this actually? --

mdmofongo The clinical presentation sounds like a GI parasite, which are transmitted via fecal-oral route, so ingestion of soil would be the most sensible answer. All the other routes are of parasites with more severe or systemic infection. +

b1ackcoffee @mdmofongo I know this. But which parasite is this? +

drblu92 The parasite is most likely Trichuris trichiura (human whipworm). Trichuriasis is often asymptomatic and adult forms can reach 2 cm in length (visible with naked eye). A lot more common in tropical areas but there have been cases in the southeastern US (ex: Kentucky). All other GI worms would present with either a fever or a cough. Treat with mebendazole or albendazole. +2