Recurrent diarrhea in a 26-year-old man

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2011 Nov-Dec;32(6):482-5. doi: 10.2500/aap.2011.32.3471.

Abstract

This is a case report of a 26-year-old healthy man with chronic diarrhea for 2 years. He was initially believed to have irritable bowel syndrome by his primary care physician after all stool studies yielded negative results. His symptoms persisted, which prompted a referral to a gastroenterology specialist. The patient's esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed variable villous blunting and a paucity of CD 138 plasma cells, which helped reveal the final diagnosis. This cases illustrates a unique presentation of a common primary immunodeficiency that allergy/immunology specialists, along with primary care specialists, will likely encounter.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Male