Prevalence of parasitic infections in surgically removed appendices: parasitological and histopathological studies

Abstract

SummaryIntestinal parasites may cause symptoms similar to acute appendicitis. Moreover, the diagnosis of parasitic infections is only done by post-operative histopathological examination of the appendices. Therefore, our aims are to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among patients who were be appendectomized at Tanta Hospitals, Egypt and to investigate the possible association between these parasitic infections and appendicitis. To achieve these objectives, we performed a cross-sectional study including 65 patients chosen randomly who had undergone appendectomy over a period of one year from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016. Demographic data were retrieved. Complete blood picture was done. Moreover, appendiceal faecolith were examined macroscopically then by direct smear examination, formol-ether concentration technique, modifi ed Ziehl-Nelseen stain and rapid immunochromatographic test. Histopathological examination of resected appendices was done. We found that parasitic infections were detected in 24.6 % of examined cases. Most of parasitic infections were prevalent in patients belonging to the school age group. Different parasitic infections were detected in the faecolith specimens. Moreover, Enterobious vermicularis adult female and Schistosoma mansoni granuloma were detected in histopathological sections. Also, a spectrum of pathological changes in the appendices was found ranging from lymphoid hyperplasia to acute infl ammation with peritonitis. In conclusion, intestinal parasites may cause clinical picture similar to that of acute appendicitis. Therefore, careful attention to clinical history, stool examination and high eosinophilia may aid diagnosis and avoid unnecessary appendectomy. Moreover, the presence of different parasitic stages in the narrow lumen of the appendix may have a role in the development of appendicitis and this needs further studies.

The neglected cestode infection: Epidemiology of Hymenolepis nana infection among children in rural Yemen

“…Moreover, headache, dizziness, sleep, and behaviour disturbances are frequently reported ( O’Dempsey, 2011 ). Furthermore, H. nana infection may cause serious disseminated disease and death, particularly among immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients and malnourished children ( Lucas et al, 1979 ; Olson et al, 2003 ; Muehlenbachs et al, 2015 ; Amer et al, 2018 ). Nevertheless, despite several reports on H. nana infections among children in different countries, data on clinical relevance and morbidity caused by H. nana are not convincing.…”

Prevalence, Clinical and Sociodemographic Parameters of Intestinal Parasitosis in Suspected Egyptian Childrenin Benha City, Egypt

“…The present children suffered from abdominal pain 14(11.1%), diarrhea 5(3.8%), thrive failure 4(17.4%), and perianal itching especially at night 15(71.4%), significantly associated with E. vermicularis, which may lead to excoriations and bacterial secondary infection as well as sometimes, worm invaded patient genital tract with vulvo-vaginitis and pelvic or peritoneal granuloma (Biserka et al, 2017). E. vermicularis was detected in an Indian (Babady et al, 2011) and in Egyptian surgically removed appendices (Amer et al, 2018).…”

Diagnosis of parasitic infections in vermiform appendix in patients with appendicitis in Kirkuk city, Iraq

“…If the inflammatory process is serious and continued acute appendicitis will result [19,20]. Although 0.2-41.8% of resected appendix revealed the parasitic infection, only little evidence was regarding the association of appendicitis with parasitic infections [21].…”