First case of pulmonary hydatid cyst in a pregnant Syrian refugee woman in Malaysia

Author: Azlin Mohd Yasin ^{1
,

2} ; Habib Abdul Hakim Esa ³ ; Ahneez Abdul Hameed ³ ; Wathiqah Wahid ^{1
,

2} ; Pakeer Oothuman Syed Ahamed ^{1
,

2}
Author Information

1. Department of Parasitology &
2. Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, WP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. Hospital Selayang, Lebuhraya Selayang, Kepong, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.
Publication Type:Case Reports
From: The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2021;76(1):103-106
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) in pregnancy is a very rare pathology. We report here a case of ruptured PHC during pregnancy in a 26-year old Syrian (refugee) woman who presented with complaints of productive cough with metallic taste and dyspnoea. PHC was suspected due to her clinical and radiological findings. Interestingly, the sputum examination confirmed the diagnosis as numerous protoscoleces were present. Serology for Echinococcus infection revealed positive at high titre. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment by providing care improves the patient outcome. Parasitological examination of the respiratory specimen in suspected ruptured PHC is desirable as a valuable detection tool.