63: Capillariasis, Intestinal

Classification: ICD-9 127.5; ICD-10 B81.1.

Syndromes and synonyms: Intestinal capillariasis, Pudoc mystery disease, wasting disease.

Agent: The agent of intestinal capillariasis is Capillaria philippinensis (or Paracapillaria philippinensis), a small nematode roundworm (males 2.3 to 3.2 mm; females 2.5 to 4.3 mm). Two other Capillaria species that can cause rare human infections: hepatic (C. hepatica or Calodium hepaticum) and pulmonary capillariasis (C. aerophila). The map only shows intestinal capillariasis.

Reservoir: For C. philippinensis: fish-eating birds. Freshwater fish are intermediate hosts.

Transmission: Consumption of raw or undercooked uneviscerated fish that have ingested infected feces of humans or waterfowl. There is no person-to-person transmission.

Cycle: For C. philippinensis

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