A Case of Intestinal Capillariasis : Fourth Case Report in Korea

Lee, Suk Ho; Rhee, Poong Lyul; Lee, Joon Hyoek; Lee, Kyu Taek; Le, Jong Kyun; Sim, Sang Gun; Lee, Sang Ku; Kim, Jae Jun; Ko, Kwang Cheol; Paik, Seung Woon; Rhee, Jong Chul; Choi, Kyoo Wan; Lee, Nam Yong; Cho, Seung Lyul; Ryu, Kwang Hyun

Abstract

Intestinal capillariasis is caused by Capillaria philippinensis. Among them, only 4 species have been found in humans: Capillaria hepatica, C. aerophila (Eucoleus aerophilus), C. plica and C. philippinensis. Reports of human infections with C. hepatica, C. aerophila and C. plica are rare, but reports of C. philippinensis infections are increasing and spreading geographically. Human infestation by C. philippinensis is a rare parasitic disease. We experienced a case of intestinal capillariasis which was misdiagnosed for intestinal tuberculosis or Crohn's disease at first but correctly diagnosed later by detection of numerous eggs of C. philippinensis on the stool examination. The eggs were found in stool only after ingestion of prednisolone for treatment of misdiagnosed Crohn's disease. The 42 year-old patient had a journey to Saipan island in Pacific ocean 6 months ago and ate sliced raw eels. Abdominal pain, watery diarrhea were subsided after therapy of albendazole.