Ascaris lumbricoides: detecting its metabolites in the urine of infected people using gas-liquid chromatography.

Substances dissolved in the urine of people infected with Ascaris lumbricoides were extracted and detected by gas-liquid chromatography. The ratios of the areas of the peaks produced by two substances extracted from urine to the area of the peak of solvent were found to be significantly correlated with the worm burden. A chemical analysis of the predominant substance by infrared spectrophotometry and proton magnetic resonance spectrometry indicated that it was 2-methyl-butyramide. The chemical properties of the other substance indicated that it was 2-methyl-valeramide. These substances are likely to be derivatives of two acids known to be end products of the carbohydrate metabolism of Ascaris.