[Parasitic infection of the appendix and its possible relationship to acute appendicitis]

Arq Gastroenterol. 2008 Apr-Jun;45(2):166-8. doi: 10.1590/s0004-28032008000200015.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

From 1,600 surgically removed appendices, 24 (1.5%) were found to have helminths. Enterobius vermicularis was observed in 23 of the 24 specimens (95.8%) and Taenia sp was detected in only 1 (4.2%) case. Sixteen patients (66.7%) were less than 10 year-old; 15 patients were male and 9 female. Pathologic analysis disclosed acute neutrophilic inflammation in 12 cases and lymphoid hyperplasia in 10 of the 24 appendices. Gangrenous appendicitis was diagnosed in 3 cases and peritonitis was found in 11 of the 24 infested appendices. Parasitic infection of the appendix is an uncommon cause of acute appendicitis in children and adolescents.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Appendectomy
  • Appendicitis / parasitology*
  • Appendicitis / pathology
  • Child
  • Enterobiasis / complications*
  • Enterobiasis / pathology
  • Enterobius / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Taenia / isolation & purification
  • Taeniasis / complications*
  • Taeniasis / pathology
  • Young Adult