Hyperthemia after cardiac surgery due to ascariasis in a child: report of a case

Abstract

Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common parasite affecting humans, especially in countries and regions with lower socio-economic conditions. A 2-year-old female child underwent right pulmonary angioplasty using cardiopulmonary bypass. Serious hyperthermia continued after surgery, and, therefore, a re-exploration of the mediastinum was performed because mediastinitis was suspected. No evidence of wound infection was revealed. Ascaris lumbricoides was subsequently isolated from her stool. The patient had no further hyperthermia throughout her hospitalization and was discharged uneventfully on post-operative day 12. The probable origin of the fever was an A. lumbricoides infection and ascariasis may cause the occurrence of serious hyperthermia during the perioperative period. Ascaris lumbricoides infection may, therefore, cause high-grade fever after cardiac surgery.

Ascariasis and Cardiac Surgery: A Case Report

“…8 Serious, unexplained hyperthermia resulting from ascaris infection has been reported in a postoperative cardiac surgical patient. 9 The case emphasizes the importance of adequate deworming before elective surgery in a patient of eosinophilia, particularly for those living in endemic areas. We also suggest to keep the head end of the patient elevated by 30 to 40°while on ventilator, in order to reduce the incidence of upward migration of the worm.…”