Stitchworm

The Dryworm (species Enterobius Inanis) also known as Stitchworm, is a parasitic nematode, or roundworm described in 2021. Previously confused with Hookworms, they have been found in cats, dogs, rarely cattle, and in some cases humans.[1] An intestinal parasite, it is notable for its paradoxical inducement of anorexia in the host.

Enterobius Inanis

Scientific classification 

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Nematoda

Class: Chromadorea

Order: Rhabditida

Family: Oxyuridae

Genus: Enterobius

Binomial Name

Enterobius Inanis

(Clementine Aran, 2022)

Morphology ^

The adult of either sex is largely identical, with the exception of the male’s slightly curved head that is more noticeable during infancy. Eggs vary widely in size, most too small to see, though they may appear up to 180 μm in the largest examples. These eggs always contain fully-developed larva.

The small sample size makes classification difficult in most cases. It is proposed that many instances of Enterobius Inanis may be misclassified as other parasites.[2]

Life Cycle ^

The first eggs to enter the host become active within 2 months of ingestion, typically using the intestine to incubate. Infection may occur through airborne eggs or dormant ones gathered from the environment.

Human hosts may be more susceptible with poor hygiene or certain habits; nail biting, eye rubbing, itching, and picking scabs allowed easy access in some of the reported cases.[3]

Disease Progression ^

While the parasite spends the entirety of its adult life in the small intestine, its eggs may incubate all throughout the body. Most die before hatching, but this seems to be an intentional process to disturb the nervous system and confuse the body’s defenses. In the human examples especially, there is an increase in brain activity that seems to coincide with these deaths. Some posit a chemical compound may be released with the egg’s hatching.[citation needed.]

After infection, symptoms may vary. Most commonly, nausea and vomiting with a sudden and extreme lack of appetite in hand with bouts of depression is the most identifiable. While the neurological side effects appear present in all host species, human cases have provided more insight. A select few have reported states of mania, “feeling nothing”[4] and a lack of response to stimuli.

Hosts ^

The first identified subject was found in an infant cow at six weeks old. Instead of treatment for hookworms, it was studied by Dr. Clementine Aran, who identified the species’ incongruities and was able to find instances in other cattle within the same vicinity. However, most examples of stitchworm occur within household pets, potentially posing a risk of infection to the owners.

It is seemingly limited in its diet to mammals, though the extent of its preferred hosts is unknown.

Distribution ^

Dryworm’s habitat is not fully documented. It has most predominantly been found within the United States and Mexico, but examples have appeared globally.

Treatment ^

Prevention ^

Human Infection ^

The first human subject is theorized, but not confirmed to be Sabine Meyer, whose body was donated to German research charity Aktsilber in 2016. The cause of her death was still reported as the parasite at the time, but was not recognized as the specimen had seemingly died with her. She had made frequent visits to a doctor and was undergoing treatment for a hookworm infection when she took her own life. While it could not be identified as anything else at the time, the parasite’s remains show similarities to Inanis.[5]

Since, global reports have been made. Aran’s research continued with a paper being published on the parasite by USDH[6] in late 2022 asking for any information that could be found on the specimen. While few at first, a massive spike was seen in 2024 following a viral report by the West Coast Crawford Association that similarly asked for any cases to be immediately submitted for research.[7] Following their publication, an estimated 0.004% of the American population has now submitted reports, with over half those reports being from women between the ages of 10 and 34.

Defense Mechanism ^

Treatment methods typical to nematodes have been successfully performed on dogs and cattle with a low success rate. The body seems to go into shock at the loss of the parasite, though whether this shock persists seems dependent on the host.

One human removal has also been attempted. The host lost consciousness when the parasite was removed from his body, and he failed to be resuscitated before losing brain activity. Afterwards, the parasite could not be found.

Theories ^

To explain the Dryworms’ tendencies, a number of possibilities have been put forth. Most prevailingly, it was considered that the species may exclusively feed on Hypokalemic blood created by the host’s fasting, as most specimens grow in proportion to the body’s loss in fluids. However, these statistics cannot be proven to be correlated due to the considerable loss in body mass that already occurs over the process of the host’s fasting. Therefore, it has more controversially been suggested that the species feeds directly off stress hormones caused by increased activity in the insula (the part of the brain associated with negative emotions.)

Notes ^

“No Consensus on Human Parasite’s Distribution” Bethel Scientific Report Weekly

“Enterobius Inanis infection”

“Association between newly discovered worm infection and anxiety disorders in teenagers aged 14-17” DRW Health Journal

“Woman, 23, Found with Open Wounds Cites Boredom” Crossroads Gallery

“Stitchworm’s Patient Zero Dead in 2016”

“Enterobius Inanis” US Discovery Handbook

“The Parasite Dismantling The Women of America” WCCA National