What disease is caused by the parasite Ascaris lumbricoides?

Ascaris lumbricoides is the causative agent of ascariasis, which is an intestinal infection characterized by the presence of this large roundworm in the human gastrointestinal tract. This parasite typically infects humans through the ingestion of eggs found in contaminated food or water. Once ingested, the eggs hatch in the intestines, and the larvae can migrate through the body before maturing into adult worms.

Ascariasis is one of the most common human helminthic infections, and it can lead to various symptoms such as abdominal pain, malnutrition, and intestinal blockages in severe cases. Understanding this linkage between Ascaris lumbricoides and ascariasis is crucial in identifying and managing the associated health risks effectively.

The other options refer to diseases caused by different parasites. Hookworm disease is caused by hookworms, schistosomiasis is caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, and strongyloidiasis is caused by the parasite Strongyloides stercoralis. Each of these diseases has distinct transmission, pathogenesis, and clinical features separate from those of ascariasis.