Ascaris lumbricoides--a reminder.

A Vietnamese refugee was admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of an acute condition within the abdomen. Examination ultimately led to the roentgenographic diagnosis of an Ascaris lumbricoides infestation. The patient recovered after medical treatment with intravenous fluids and nasogastric suction, followed by piperazine citrate administration. This ubiquitous parasite has the potential for causing many serious abdominal complications. An awareness of this disease is particularly timely, in view of the recent influx of nearly 150,000 Indo-Chinese into North America.