Table of Contents
Definition / general | Pathophysiology | Clinical features | Case reports | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Cytology images | Differential diagnosisCite this page: Mansouri J. Enterobius vermicularis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/appendixenterobius.html. Accessed January 22nd, 2021.
Definition / general
- Also known as pinworm
- Formerly known as oxyuris vermicularis, oxyuriasis
- Most common helminthic infection in children, affects all social strata in the U.S.
Pathophysiology
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Life cycle
Clinical features
- Usually more common in temperate climates
- Usually found in appendix of children ages 7 - 11 years as incidental finding
- Mass of worms may cause obstruction
- May occasionally be associated with appendicitis (Pediatr Surg Int 2004;20:372, Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2007;38:20)
- Eggs often deposited at night on perianal skin, causing pruritis ani, irritability, loss of sleep (DPDx - Enterobiasis)
- Eggs can be diagnosed with the cellulose tape technique on perianal skin when child wakes up
- Adult worms may migrate to the lower genital tract and cause a granulomatous reaction
Case reports
- 33 year old woman with clinical appendicitis (Case of the Week #90)
Gross description
- Worms reside in cecum, 1.3 cm long
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Cross section has narrow lateral cuticular alae
Microscopic (histologic) images
Case of the Week #90
Eggs
Contributed by Dr. Wafaey Fahmy Badawy Mohamed, Armed Forces Hospital, Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia
8 year old child, presenting with acute appendicitis
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Enterobius in appendix
Cytology images
Contributed by Dr. Guido Nicolò (Italy)
Enterobius vermicularis
Contributed by Dr. C. Shrinivasan, Sterling Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat (India)
Ova and larva of Enterobius vermicularis
Contributed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Eggs
Differential diagnosis
- Vegetable matter, whipworm
