Endoscopic and Clinical Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections.
- Author:
Won Hyun LEE
1
;
Seung Seok YOO
;
Hyun Jin KIM
;
Tae Hyo KIM
;
Ok Jae LEE
Author Information
1. Deapartment of Internal Medicine and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea. ojlee@gnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Gastrointestinal;
Parasites;
Endoscopic;
Clinical characteristics
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Anisakiasis;
Diphyllobothriasis;
Echinostomiasis;
Endoscopy;
Female;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Medical Records;
Parasites*;
Parasitic Diseases;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2007;35(5):304-312
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the overall infection rate of infection with parasites has decreased, the rate of food-mediated infection with parasites has not declined. This study was conducted to define the various endoscopic and clinical characteristics of gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infections diagnosed endoscopically. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records including the endoscopic reports of 27 patients with GI parasite infections diagnosed endoscopically at University Hospital from January 1993 through September 2006. RESULTS: Among 27 patients with a GI parasite infection, 66.7% were female and food-mediated parasite infections including anisakiasis accounted for 77.8% of all of the infections. Soil-mediated parasites were still detected. Extremely rare cases of echinostomiasis and diphyllobothriasis were also identified. Abdominal pain was most frequent symptom (48.1%) and even intestinal or biliary obstructions were seen. The most common endoscopic finding was a visible worm, and various findings including the presence of a pseudotumor were observed. The median period from symptom onset to endoscopy was 15 days for anisakiasis with a pseudotumor compared to 1 day for anisakiasis without a pseudotumor. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopy revealed the presence of various GI parasite infections as well as the presence of anisakiasis, a food-mediated parasitic disease. Various clinical and endoscopic features were seen, including GI bleeding, obstruction, and a pseudotumor. Therefore, a thorough endoscopic examination is required promptly together with detailed history taking concerning the consumption of raw fish.
