Intestinal Spirochetosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
10.5223/pghn.2019.22.2.193
- Author:
Roel LEMMENS
1
;
Thierry DEVREKER
;
Bruno HAUSER
;
Elisabeth DEGREEF
;
Annieta GOOSSENS
;
Yvan VANDENPLAS
Author Information
1. Kidz Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. Yvan.Vandenplas@uzbrussel.be
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Spirochete infections;
Endoscopy;
Co-infection;
Polyps;
Antibiotics
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Biopsy;
Child;
Coinfection;
Diagnosis;
Diarrhea;
Endoscopy;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Metronidazole;
Nausea;
Polyps;
Spirochaetales Infections;
Weight Loss
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2019;22(2):193-200
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A clinical suspicion of intestinal spirochetosis is required when patients have long lasting complaints of abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and nausea. An endoscopy with biopsies needs to be performed to confirm the diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis. The diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis is based on histological appearance. Intestinal spirochetosis can also be associated with other intestinal infections and juvenile polyps (JPs). JPs seem to be more frequent in patients with intestinal spirochetosis than in patients without intestinal spirochetosis. Intestinal spirochetosis in children should be treated with antibiotics. Metronidazole is the preferred option. In this article, we describe 4 cases of intestinal spirochetosis in a pediatric population and provide a review of the literature over the last 20 years. Intestinal spirochetosis is a rare infection that can cause a variety of severe symptom. It is diagnosed based on histological appearance.
