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Appendiceal infection byEntamoeba histolytica andStrongyloides stercoralis presenting like acute appendicitis

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Summary

A 58-year-old male from Puerto Rico who was taking orally administered cortisone analogs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with fever, absolute eosinophilia, right lower quadrant pain, and rebound tenderness associated withStrongyloides stercoralis infection of the appendix. A 37-year-old alcoholic male developed fever, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, and rebound tenderness because of infection of the appendix withEntamoeba histolytica. These are the seventh reported case of isolated amebic appendicitis and the ninth reported case of appendiceal involvement withStrongyloides. In all these cases the diagnosis was made only after surgery. Patients with unexplained right lower quadrant pain, particularly if immunosuppressed or with an appropriate travel history, should have stool examinations for ova and parasites. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent life-threatening complications such as perforation and peritonitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology, University of Medicine of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 08903-0019, New Brunswick, New Jersey

    Steven Nadler MD,  Mitchell S. Cappell MD, PhD, Bankim Bhatt MD, Sandra Matano MD & Katsuhiro Kure MD

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  1. Steven Nadler MD
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  2. Mitchell S. Cappell MD, PhD
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  3. Bankim Bhatt MD
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  4. Sandra Matano MD
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  5. Katsuhiro Kure MD
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Nadler, S., Cappell, M.S., Bhatt, B. et al. Appendiceal infection byEntamoeba histolytica andStrongyloides stercoralis presenting like acute appendicitis. Digest Dis Sci 35, 603–608 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540408

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540408

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