Abstract

This book tackles a number of different perspectives concerning the parasitic helminth Ascaris, both in animals and in humans and the disease known as ascariasis. It seeks to identify interesting, exciting and novel aspects, which will interest readers from a broad range of disciplines. Over a quarter of the world's population are infected with the human roundworm, and the equivalent in pigs is equally ubiquitous. Both contribute to insidious and chronic nutritional morbidity, and this has been quantified, in humans, as disability adjusted life years approximating 10.5 million. Ascaris larvae develop in host parenteral tissues, and the resultant pathology has been condemnation. Ascariasis, despite its staggering global prevalence and the sheer numbers of people it infects, remains a classic neglected disease. However, renewed interest in the consequences of early infection with worms from the perspective of immune modulation, co-infections and the development of allergy further enhances the relevance of these parasites.

• Brings together a wide range of topics and approaches and recent, comprehensive and progressive research concerning the neglected parasite Ascaris
• Provides a blueprint of how a single parasite entity can stimulate interest in basic biology, clinical science, veterinary science, public health and epidemiology
• Presents a wealth of new insights given that a book on this parasite has not been published for over 20 years
• 16 chapters from a range of top authors from around the world

"The publication of this book is…very welcome, with its aim to highlight this state of affairs and to stimulate interest in this much neglected parasite…this volume can be highly recommended to all with an interest in parasitic nematode infection and neglected tropical diseases. It is both an excellent summary of the current state of knowledge of Ascaris infection, and a very useful resource for those studying other parasites."--Parasites & Vectors, January 17, 2014 "Ascaris lumbricoides is a parasitic nematode worm that primarily infects children in impoverished conditions throughout the tropics. As many as 1.2  billion people may be infected. It causes both developmental and cognitive problems in the infected. In spite of being such a common affliction Ascaris  remains little studied. This volume of essays…attempts to address that."--Reference & Research Book News, December 2013