1. Capillaria philippinensis
Created and Presented by:
Lindsey Petrovich
Amanda Reinesch

2. TAXONOMY KINGDOM: Animalia Roundworm Nematode Intestinal Parasite
PHYLUM: Nematoda
CLASS: Aphasmidea
ORDER: Anoplida
FAMILY: Capillariidae – Capillaria
Roundworm Nematode
Intestinal Parasite

3. GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
* Philippines * Thailand
Rare cases have been reported from other Asian countries, Iran, Middle East, Japan, Egypt and Colombia. 

4. Interesting Facts
First discovered in 1963 in Northern Luzon, Philippines
Appearance in humans was sudden and unexpected
Witch Doctors hired to drive out curse placed on people by River God
River God was responsible for Capillaria philippinensis.

5. MORPHOLOGY Adult Male Adult Female Egg 2.3-3.2 mm long 23-28 μm wide
Small caudal alae
Spineless spicule sheath
Adult Female
mm long
29-47 μm wide
Esophagus is half as long as body
Produce Capillaria-type eggs that lack pits
Egg
36-45 μm long
20 μm wide
Peanut shaped
Striated shell
Caudal alae - cuticular extensions on either side of, or surrounding, genital cavity that opens (blue arrow)
Spicule – small, hard body that serve as the skeletal element

6. LIFE CYCLE DEFINITIVE HOST: INTERMEDIATE HOST: VECTOR:
fish-eating birds
INTERMEDIATE HOST:
Fish
VECTOR:
None
ACCIDENTAL HOSTS:
Human
Acquire by eating small species of raw infected fish
Direct and Indirect Life Cycles
Migratory birds (definitive host) are the reason for the spreading to Asian countries and Middle East.

7. LIFE CYCLE Unembryonated eggs are passed in human/bird stool.
Unembryonated eggs become embryonated in the external environment.
Fresh water fish ingest embryonated eggs, larvae hatch, penetrate the intestine, migrate to tissues.
Ingestion of raw or undercooked fish results in infection of human host.
Adult worms reside in human small intestine, burrow in mucosa.
Female adult worms deposit unembryonated eggs.
- Some eggs become embryonated in intestine, release larvae, cause autoinfection, leading to hyperinfection
Parasite of fish-eating birds.
- (Birds eat small fish)
Hyperinfection – meaning a massive amount of adult worms

8. PATHOGENESIS In Humans
Causes intestinal capillariasis
Damages cells of intestinal wall
Worms repeatedly penetrate mucosa of small intestine and reenter lumen (jejunum)
Leads to progressive degeneration of mucosa and submucosa
Interferes with absorption of nutrients (fats and sugars) and maintenance of proper electrolyte (potassium) balance

9. PATHOGENESIS In Humans
SYMPTOMS:
Watery diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Edema
Weight loss
Weakness
Malaise
Anorexia
Emaciation
Borborygmus (stomach growling)
Depressed levels of potassium and albumin in blood
Malaise - a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, vague or unfocused of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort
Emaciation – abnormal thinness caused by lack of nutrition or by disease

10. DIAGNOSIS In Humans Finding eggs, larvae, and/or adults in:
Stool samples
Unembryonated eggs
Severe infections have eggs, larvae, and adults
Intestinal biopsies
Often fatal if left untreated
Patients die from:
Loss of electrolytes
Heart Failure
Secondary Bacterial Infections

11. TREATMENT In Humans Anthelmintics - Mebendazole - Albendazole
- Thiabendazole
Prefer Albendazole and Mebendazole because it works better than Thiabendazole.

12. CONTROL For Humans
Avoid eating small raw fish whole
Education

13. REFERENCES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillaria_philippinensis
F/Capillariasis/body_Capillariasis_page1.htm#Geographic%20Distribution
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