Ascaris Lumbiroides: Round Worm

"Ascaris Lumbricoides has a world-wide distribution and is most prevalent in tropical areas. 25% of the world population harbors the parasite. "

Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the largest and most common parasites found in humans.The adult females of this species can measure up to 18 inches long (males are generally shorter), and it is estimated that 25% of the world's population is infected with this nematode.The adult worms live in the small intestine and eggs are passed in the feces.A single female can produce up to 200,000 eggs each day!About two weeks after passage in the feces the eggs contain an infective larval or juvenile stage, and humans are infected when they ingest such infective eggs."