The pinworm (Genus Enterobius), also known as threadworm or seat worm, is a common human intestinal parasite, especially in children. The medical condition associated with pinworm infestation is known as enterobiasis, or sometimes oxyuriasis.
Unless otherwise noted, throughout this article the word pinworm refers to the species Enterobius vermicularis, which affects humans.
The pinworm is a a type of roundworm, and two species of pinworm have bee...
more
The pinworm (Genus Enterobius), also known as threadworm or seat worm, is a common human intestinal parasite, especially in children. The medical condition associated with pinworm infestation is known as enterobiasis, or sometimes oxyuriasis.
Unless otherwise noted, throughout this article the word pinworm refers to the species Enterobius vermicularis, which affects humans.
The pinworm is a a type of roundworm, and two species of pinworm have been identified with certainty. Humans are host only to Enterobius vermicularis (formerly Oxyuris vermicularis). Chimpanzees are host to Enterobius anthropopitheci, which is morphologically distinguishable from the human pinworm.. Hugot 1983 claims there is another species affecting humans, Enterobius gregorii, which is supposedly a sister species of E. vermicularis, and has a slightly smaller spicule. Its existence is controversial however; Totkova et al. consider there to be insufficient evidence, and Hasagawa et al. contend that E. gregorii is...
less