Clinical features of human intestinal capillariasis in Taiwan

Abstract

Human intestinal capillariasis is a rare parasitosis that was first recognized in the Philippines in the 1960 s. Parasitosis is a life threatening disease and has been reported from Thailand, Japan, South of Taiwan (Kaoh-Siung), Korea, Iran, Egypt, Italy and Spain. Its clinical symptoms are characterized by chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, borborygmus, marked weight loss, protein and electrolyte loss and cachexia. Capillariasis may be fatal if early treatment is not given. We reported 14 cases living in rural areas of Taiwan. Three cases had histories of travelling to Thailand. They might have been infected in Thailand while stayed there. Two cases had the diet of raw freshwater fish before. Three cases received emergency laparotomy due to peritonitis and two cases were found of enteritis cystica profunda. According to the route of transmission, freshwater and brackish-water fish may act as the intermediate host of the parasite. The most simple and convenient method of diagnosing capillariasis is stool examination. Two cases were diagnosed by histology. Mebendazole or albendezole 200 mg orally twice a day for 20-30 d is the treatment of choice. All the patients were cured, and relapses were not observed within 12 mo.

Human Intestinal Capillariasis (Capillaria Philippinensis) in Taiwan

“…However, there was no detailed and complete investigation has yet been conducted to study the disease in Taiwan. 6 Geographically, Taiwan is the closest area to the Philippines. It is also a key rest stop on the north-south migratory routes for many fishfeeding migratory birds, which are thought to be the major carriers of Capillaria philippinensis.…”

Capillaria philippinensis in Upper Egypt: Has It Become Endemic?

“…12,13 A diagnosis of capillariasis is based on the recovery of eggs, larvae, and/or adult worms from the stool of patients, although multiple stool samples may be required for an early diagnosis in some cases caused by the sporadic excretion of eggs in the feces. 14 However, these diagnoses are difficult in non-endemic areas, as this remains an unknown disease among many physicians and laboratory workers. 15 In addition, small intestinal aspirations or biopsies may be necessary to confirm the presence of a C. philippinensis infection.…”

Molecular detection of Capillaria philippinensis: An emerging zoonosis in Egypt

“…Reports showed that the infection was endemic in the Philippines, with the appearance of few epidemics that caused deaths among infected patients (Bair et al, 2004).…”

“…The thick-shelled eggs mature in water and infect the small fish when it feeds on organic matter containing the mature eggs. These infected small fish are eaten raw, as they are smaller than being eviscerated; the production of thick shelled eggs and infective larvae is alternating in the same host (Bair et al, 2004;Lu et al, 2006).…”