After visiting overseas, a previously healthy 16-year-old acquired a nonproductive cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. The patient has no allergies and has not recently had upper respiratory sickness. After a few days, the symptoms went away on their own, but she soon developed stomach pain, anorexia, and nausea. The following picture depicts the findings of stool microscopy. Which of the following was the most likely cause of this patient's pulmonary symptoms?

Question

After visiting overseas, a previously healthy 16-year-old acquired a nonproductive cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. The patient has no allergies and has not recently had upper respiratory sickness. After a few days, the symptoms went away on their own, but she soon developed stomach pain, anorexia, and nausea. The following picture depicts the findings of stool microscopy.  Which of the following was the most likely cause of this patient's pulmonary symptoms?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Ascaris lumbricoides is transmitted via contaminated food or water.  Eggs hatch into larvae in the small intestine, penetrate the intestinal wall, and migrate across the lung into the alveoli.  Larvae are subsequently coughed up and swallowed into the gastrointestinal tract, where they mature to adult worms.  Most patients are asymptomatic, but some develop early pulmonary manifestations (Loeffler syndrome) or later gastrointestinal symptoms.

After Visiting Overseas, a Previously Healthy 16-Year-Old Acquired a Nonproductive