How many eggs does enterobius vermicularis produce?
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Egg Production in Enterobius vermicularis
Overview of Enterobius vermicularis Egg Production
Enterobius vermicularis, commonly known as the human pinworm, is a parasitic worm that primarily infects the intestines of humans. One of the key aspects of its life cycle is the production of eggs, which are crucial for the transmission and propagation of the species.
Egg Production Based on Female Worm Length
Research has shown that the number of eggs produced by female Enterobius vermicularis is closely correlated with their body length. A study examining 203 female worms found that egg production begins when the worms reach a body length of 5.50 mm or longer. The number of eggs increases significantly with the length of the worm. For instance, females measuring between 5.50 and 5.99 mm produced an average of 19 eggs, while those between 9.50 and 9.90 mm produced an average of 13,323 eggs1.
Variability in Egg Production
The study also highlighted that there is considerable individual variation in egg production among worms of different lengths. Worms in the 5.50 to 8.00 mm range showed greater variability in the number of eggs produced. However, once the worms exceeded 9.00 mm in length, the number of eggs produced was more consistent, typically ranging from 10,000 to 16,000 eggs1.
Comparison with Other Pinworms
For context, the fecundity of Enterobius vermicularis is significantly higher than that of other pinworms, such as Syphacia obvelata, which infects mice. Female S. obvelata produce an average of 317 eggs, which is only about 2-3% of the fecundity of E. vermicularis2. This stark difference underscores the prolific nature of E. vermicularis in terms of egg production.
Conclusion
In summary, Enterobius vermicularis females produce a substantial number of eggs, with production starting at a body length of 5.50 mm and increasing with the worm's length. The number of eggs can reach up to 16,000 in larger females, making E. vermicularis a highly fecund parasite. This high reproductive capacity is a key factor in its widespread prevalence and difficulty in controlling its transmission.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
[Number of intrauterine eggs in female Enterobius vermicularis by body length]
Female Enterobius vermicularis begin to produce eggs in uterus when body length is 5.50 mm or longer, with gravid females over 9.0 mm depositing 10,000 to 16,000 eggs with the least individual variations.
Observational StudyIn vitro embryonation of Syphacia obvelata eggs.
Syphacia obvelata eggs are less resistant to environmental factors and require more intimate contact between hosts for transmission than Enterobius vermicularis eggs.
In Vitro StudyTransmission of Enterobius vermicularis eggs through hands of school children in rural South Africa.
Improved sanitation facilities and handwashing with soap in schools are crucial to prevent the transmission of Enterobius vermicularis eggs among schoolchildren in rural South Africa.
Observational StudyEnterobius vermicularis Eggs Discovered in Coprolites from a Medieval Korean Mummy
Enterobius vermicularis eggs were discovered in a 17th-century Korean mummy, marking the first discovery of this species in East Asia.
Egg positive rate of Enterobius vermicularis among preschool children in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea.
The prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis in Cheongju city is relatively low, with a 7.9% overall egg positive rate in preschool children, with higher rates in boys and girls.
Observational StudyEnterobius vermicularis ova in routine cervicovaginal smears. Light and scanning electron microscopic observations.
Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) eggs were found in routine cervicovaginal smears, with some showing massive acute inflammation and smooth surfaces.
Egg positive rate of Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia spp. by cellophane tape method in primary school children in Sivas, Turkey.
Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia spp. egg positive rates are still prevalent among primary school children in Sivas, Turkey, with higher rates in urban slum regions.
Observational StudyGenetic variation of Enterobius vermicularis among schoolchildren in Thailand.
Enterobius vermicularis nematode eggs in Thai schoolchildren show genetic variation, suggesting potential transmission from primates to humans in Asia or Europe.
Observational StudyEnterobius vermicularis: 10,000-Year-Old Human Infection
Enterobius vermicularis (human pinworm) eggs were found in human coprolites from Hopug and Danger Caves, western Utah, representing the earliest known association between man and this exclusively human parasite.
Highly CitedDetection of Enterobius vermicularis eggs in the submucosa of the transverse colon of a man presenting with colon carcinoma.
Enterobius vermicularis eggs can infiltrate the intestinal wall of the transverse colon, potentially causing colon carcinoma, but this case was not reported before surgery.
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