A rare cause of acute abdomen in adults: Parasitic infection-related acute appendicitis

Abstract

Ascaris lumbricoides is a common parasitic disease all over the world, especially in less developed countries. Acute appendicitis related to parasitic infection is a rare condition. Parasitic infections should be kept in mind in patients who are admitted to the emergency department with acute abdomen, especially in endemic areas.

“Worm within worm”: acute appendicitis containing an adult Ascaris lumbricoïdes

“…8,15 Suspected appendicitis caused by roundworm is most often diagnosed by finding roundworm eggs on appendectomy specimen. 16 Hence, the importance of anatomopathological examination of all appendectomy specimen, particularly in tropical countries where helminth infections are endemic. In our patient, the ultrasound helped to identify a roundworm in contact with the appendix as well as other roundworms in the lumen of the digestive loops.…”