Ascariasis, an intestinal infection caused by a parasitic roundworm, has plagued mankind for ages, affecting more thna 1 billion people in China, South East Asia, South America, and in Africa.

This parasitic worm, called Ascaris lumbricoides, causes its human host to suffer from fever, wheezing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and coughing up worms.

That is why researchers Aaron Jex and Robin Gasser, from the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Veterinary Science, led a study to debug the worm.

To learn more about this parasite, the researchers sequenced the genomes of Ascaris suum - a worm that mainly infects pigs, since it is easier to study - thus enabling them to take a major step towards controlling the infection it causes.

Jex explained that the more they know about the genetics of the parasite and how it works, all the more better can they fight with treatments.

"From the genome sequence we have identified five high priority drug targets that are likely to be relevant for many other parasitic worms," Jex said.

The researchers pointed out that new treatments are urgently needed and that genome-guided drug target discovery is ideal for identifying targets that selectively kill the parasites only, not the host.

The study that they have conducted on the worm has given them new insights on how to treat the condition of ascariasis, which the World Health Organization said is often a neglected disease.

The symptoms of ascariasis only appear when the number of worms involved in the infestation is numerous. What is more concerning with this parasite is that children are more likely to develop gastrointestinal symptoms than adults.

Kidshealth.org reported that in order to avoid the parasitic worm, the most important measure to be taken is to observe safe and sanitary disposal of human waste.

In addition, those that use human feces as fertilizers for their fruit and vegetable plants and trees must thoroughly cook all foods or clean them properly.