You may be surprised to learn that European men are exposed to Ascaris lumbricoides roundworm. In fact, scientists recently figured out that their exposure to this parasite is greater than previously estimated.
A new study from the Universities of Birmingham, Bergen, and Cape Town revealed that young men exposed to Ascaris lumbricoides are at increased risk of developing asthma and serious lung damage.
Ascaris lumbricoides is actually the most common parasitic worm in humans with an estimated one-sixth of the human population infected by this parasite. It can grow to a length of up to 35 cm and causes the disease ascariasis. In most cases (around 85 %) it causes no symptoms, but it can still be dangerous. An international team of scientists now studied 671 adults from Norway, Estonia, and Denmark and found that those men that are infected with Ascaris lumbricoides are suffering from reduced lung capacity. Because this effect remained even after accounting for such factors as smoking and exposure to house dust mites, scientists have to assume that it is an effect of the roundworm infection.
Of course, Ascaris lumbricoides parasites infect everyone, but scientists noticed that severe health effects are more noticeable in men. It is even more surprising that European men are exposed to these parasites as much as they are. This is because Ascaris lumbricoides is typically considered a problem in Low- and Middle-income Countries. However, scientists warn that this problem may be even worse in Europe, because these risks may be severely underestimated.
Exposure to Ascaris lumbricoides roundworms can lead to serious lung damage that could lead to long-term breathing problems. It can cause asthma and other issues of poor respiratory health. It is especially dangerous, because this problem is likely not correctly evaluated in Europe and other developed regions. Scientists encourage European medical institutions to take this information into account and employ it in their diagnostic practices. Especially when it comes to people already suffering from other lung infections and diseases.
Dr. Nils Oskar Jõgi, first author of the study, said: “Such infections warrant the development of new diagnostical awareness. We hope this discovery will boost efforts to understand how parasitic worm infection influences the development of serious respiratory conditions in both developed and developing countries.”
This is the first study to show substantial gender differences in exposures to Ascaris lumbricoides and subsequent outcomes in humans. It is also the first to really underline the problem in Europe. Hopefully, this information may push medical professionals to deal with roundworm parasites with more rigor.
Source: University of Birmingham
Leave a Reply