%0 Journal Article
%T Enterobius vermicularis: endoscopic opportunistic diagnosis in a poorly symptomatic infection.
%A Pontone S
%A Leonetti G
%A Brighi M
%A Pontone P
%J Prevention and Research : International Open Access Journal of Prevention and Research in Medicine
%D 2013
%I Prevention and Research
%R 10.7362/2240-2594.098.2013
%X Enterobius vermicularis gastrointestinal infestation is considered as the most common helminthes infection worldwide and is promoted by inadequate personal and community hygiene. The parasite have a hand-to-mouth transmission resulting from scratching of perianal region, where the female parasite lays its eggs. Usually there are few symptoms as the infection is well tolerate. More frequently in children this infestation may be responsible for several non-specific (loss of appetite, abdominal pain, irritability, and pallor) and peculiar symptoms (anal itching, sleep disorders, restlessness and irritability). Scratching often cause skin irritation that, in more severe cases, arise through eczematous dermatitis, haemorrhage or secondary bacterial infections. Sometimes the infection can reach the female genital tract causing pelvic manifestations. When oxyuriasis is suspected, the confirmation is obtained by cello-tape test and the mebendazole based treatment is usually effective. Coproscopic tests may establish the diagnosis also in unclear cases without typical symptoms. Treatment includes an antihelminthic agent for the patient and household members as well as home hygiene measures. The diagnosis in adult patients is infrequent as the appearance of specimens during colonoscopy and endoscopists may not suspect its presence. However, the association of Enterobius vermicularis infestation with acute appendicitis varies from 0.2¨C41.8%. Thus, the early differential diagnosis, in these cases can exclude surgery and post-operative complications caused by the abdominal cavity parasitic contamination. We report about an endoscopic diagnosis of oxyuriasis in a poorly symptomatic patient undergone colonoscopy as polypectomy follow-up.
%K Enterobius vermicularis
%K Oxyuriasis
%K Parasitic infection
%K Colonoscopy
%U http://www.preventionandresearch.com/enterobius-vermicularis-endoscopic-opportunistic-diagnosis-in-a-poorly-symptomatic-infection.html