Abstract

Capillariasis is a disease in the group of helminthiasis diseases caused by the nematode "Capillaria philippinensis".

Symptoms

Symptoms in infested humans include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, edema, weight loss, borborygmus (stomach growling), and depressed levels of potassium and albumin in the blood. In humans, the parasites damage the cells of the intestinal wall. This damage interferes with the absorption of nutrients and the maintenance of a proper electrolyte balance. Untreated "C. philippinensis" infestations are often fatal.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis usually involves finding the eggs and/or adults of "C. philippinensis" in stool samples.

Treatment and prevention

Anthelmintics such as mebendazole and albendazole have been reported to eliminate infestation of humans more effectively than thiabendazole.

Prevention is as simple as avoiding eating small, whole, uncooked fish. However, in "C. philippinensis" endemic areas, such dietary habits are common and have been practiced for many generations.