Parasitic infection of the appendix as a cause of acute appendicitis

Abstract

The association between parasitic infection of the appendix and acute appendicitis has been widely investigated. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infection of the appendix in a tropical area at southeast Brazil and to assess its possible relation to acute appendicitis in surgically removed appendices. Of the 1,600 appendectomies performed during a 10-year period, 24 (1.5%) were found to have helminths within the appendix. Enterobius vermicularis was observed in 23 of the 24 specimens (95.8%), and Taenia sp. was detected in only one case. Sixteen patients (66.7%) were less than 10 years old; 15 patients were male and nine female; 21 patients were white, and three were nonwhites. Pathologic analysis disclosed acute neutrophilic inflammation in the appendix wall in 12 of the 24 specimens and lymphoid hyperplasia in 10 of the 24 appendices. Gangrenous appendicitis was diagnosed in three cases, and peritonitis was found in 11 of the 24 infected appendices. The results of the present study indicate that E. vermicularis is the commonest worm found in the appendix and that its presence can cause pathologic changes ranging from lymphoid hyperplasia to acute phlegmonous inflammation with life-threatening complications like gangrene and peritonitis.

Histopathological study of Enterobius vermicularis among appendicitis patients in Gaza strip, Palestine

“…In one Brazilian study, 24 cases out of 1,600 appendectomies (1.5 %) with helminthes within the appendix were recorded during a 10-year period (Silva et al 2007).…”

A rare case of gangrenous appendicitis by eggs of Taenia species

“…Gupta et al (1989) in their review of 2,921 appendicectomies reported an incidence of 0.05 % Taeniasis. Silva et al (2008) in their retrospective study of 1,600 appendectomies performed during a 10-year period found a single case of appendicular Taeniasis. 2 cases were reported by Lejbkwicz et al (2002) and 3 cases by Khodjet El Khil et al (1980) while 1 case each were reported by Sartorelli et al (2005) and Payne et al (1970).…”

Oxiuriasis apendicular: estudio de prevalencia y descripción clínico-morfológica

“…Durante su recorrido por el tracto gastro-intestinal, el parásito puede localizarse en forma inhabitual en el apéndice cecal, siendo en 1899 Still, quien describe por primera vez el compromiso apendicular por EB, variando ampliamente la frecuencia reportada a nivel mundial, entre 0,2-41,8%; en nuestra serie y al igual que en otros estudios la prevalencia alcanzó al 1,53% afectando mayormente al grupo de niños y adultos jóvenes (71% menores de 18 años) 9,14,17,19,20 .…”