The life cycles of Enterobius vermicularis and Strongyloides spp. represent yet two more variations on the roundworm theme.
Some unique features of Strongyloides include:
- It can undergo a complete life cycle in the soil (although ultimately, a host will be required).
- It can complete a life cycle within the human host, which can lead to a hyperinfection.
- The eggs hatch in the human intestine, meaning that diagnosis depends on finding larvae in the stool, not eggs.
Some unique features of Enterobius include:
- Although the eggs can survive in the soil, a soil phase is not required, and infection can occur by ingesting eggs acquired directly from someone else.
- The females migrate out of the colon into the perianal folds to deposit their eggs (usually occurs at night), so the best diagnostic method is by examining a piece of clear tape that was applied to the perianal folds (eggs can occasionally also be seen in the stool).
