Which of the following features is consistent with Ascariasis?

Which of the following features is consistent with Ascariasis?

• A. Abdominal pain without visible worm in stool or vomitus.
• B. Diagnosis relies on imaging only.
• C. Larvae migration to the lungs causes cough and fever but abdominal symptoms are absent.
• D. Abdominal pain with vomiting or diarrhea and a worm visible in stool or vomitus.

Answer: (D)

Ascariasis stems from adult worms living in the small intestine, and heavy infections often produce abdominal pain with vomiting or diarrhea. A classic clue is passing a worm in the stool or in vomitus, which reflects the presence of adult Ascaris in the gut. While larvae migrating to the lungs can cause a cough and fever during the early phase, abdominal symptoms with a visible worm in the stool or vomitus is the most characteristic pattern and guides diagnosis (stool examination for eggs or worms), rather than imaging alone.

Ascariasis stems from adult worms living in the small intestine, and heavy infections often produce abdominal pain with vomiting or diarrhea. A classic clue is passing a worm in the stool or in vomitus, which reflects the presence of adult Ascaris in the gut. While larvae migrating to the lungs can cause a cough and fever during the early phase, abdominal symptoms with a visible worm in the stool or vomitus is the most characteristic pattern and guides diagnosis (stool examination for eggs or worms), rather than imaging alone.