Common Name(s):
Intestinal Capillariasis
Alternative Names & Classifications:
Capillaria Philippinensis Infection (CLINICAL), Capillariasis (CLINICAL)
Description
The adult worms burrow deeply into the mucosa of the small intestine, causing extensive degeneration, villous atrophy, and profound mucosal barrier dysfunction. Uniquely, the parasite autoinfects the host, leading to massive internal worm burdens that completely derail nutrient and fluid absorption. It predominantly affects fishing communities in the Philippines and Thailand, causing catastrophic protein-losing enteropathy.