Pinworms and postmenopausal bleeding.

Abstract

The human pinworm Enterobius vermicularis is normally found within the human gastrointestinal tract. Pregnant females migrate out of their host's anus at night to lay their eggs perianally. As a consequence of this nocturnal migration some worms find their way into adjacent orifices, most commonly the female genitourinary tract, producing irritative symptoms such as vulvovaginitis. A case of pinworm infestation of the uterus presented as postmenopausal bleeding. (J Clin Pathol 1998;51:401-402)

Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Enterobius vermicularis

“…Ascent of larvae from the perineum into the female genital tract is the most common, and was the probable route of entry into the peritoneum of our case. Such navigational errors by the parasite may result in fallopian tube infiltration, 3 4 salpingo-oophoritis, 5 6 tubo-ovarian abscess, 7 or granulomata of the vulva, vagina, 8 uterus, [9][10][11] fallopian tubes, 2 or ovaries, 12 and even the human embryo. 13 14 Escape of worms through the fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity can lead to pelvic 10 12 15 or abdominal peritonitis, 12 16 17 or granulomata of the pelvic peritoneum.…”

Pinworm control and risk factors of pinworm infection among primary-school children in Taiwan.

“…Ok and others 12 found 36.4% of girls with urinary tract infections had pinworm eggs by cellophane tape examination, whereas only 16.4% of the controls had the infection. Pinworm can also cause conditions such as postmenopausal bleeding, 13,14 perianal granuloma, 15 and hemorrhagic eosinophilic enterocolitis. 16 Although mass screening campaigns and remediation for parasite infection may be costly, treatment of pinworm infection improves the quality of life for children.…”

Assessment of frequency, transmission, and genitourinary complications of enterobiasis (pinworms)

“…Female E. vermicularis are thread‐like, white worms, 5–13 mm in length, and 0.5 mm in width that migrate nightly to the perianal area to deposit their eggs. As a consequence of this nocturnal migration, some worms find their way into adjacent orifices, most commonly the female genitourinary tract, producing possible symptoms such as vulvovaginitis and postmenopausal bleeding 14 . A single female may lay up to 16,000 eggs 15 .…”