2nd August 2023

Introduction

Helminth infections refer to infections caused by different species of parasitic worms and are the major infectious causes of a raised eosinophil count. They can be subcategorised into:

• Roundworms (nematodes)
• Tapeworms (cestodes)
• Flukes (trematodes)

The following considerations should be made to help narrow the likely helminth responsible for the clinical picture: travel history, incubation period, clinical syndrome, and main organ site affected. This will help decide the likely pathogen and allow for specific investigations to confirm the organism (as generic laboratory and stool testing is often insensitive). The majority of helminth infections are associated with foreign travel and are hence considered tropical diseases. However, immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to parasitic infections and can often present without an associated travel history.