Korean J Fam Med.  2010 Aug;31(8):622-629. 10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.8.622.

Two Cases of Trichuris Trichiura Infection Diagnosed by Colonoscopy

• Lee SH
• Kwon JE
• Cheong YS

• KMID: 2234651
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2010.31.8.622

Abstract

Trichuris trichiura (T. trichiura) is soil-transmitted parasite and widely spreads all over the world. High infection rates occur especially in the poor hygiene area. T. trichiura is transmitted by the water and food contaminated with T. trichiura eggs. Most of mildly infected individuals could be asymptomatic, whereas heavily infected patients manifest with anemia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Serious manifestations such as intestinal obstruction and perforation were reported to be caused by Trichuriasis. Diagnostic methods are stool examination of T. trichiura eggs and eosinophil count in blood. Sometimes, colonoscopy can be useful diagnostic tool and treatment. We observed that the North Korean refugee with chronic abdominal pain and the patient with abdominal pain and loose stool have been diagnosed as T. trichiura infection confirmed by colonoscopy. After treatment, the patient's symptom has improved. Therefore we report two cases of trichuriasis with literature review.

Keyword

Chronic Abdominal Pain; Trichuris Trichiura; Parasite; Colonoscopy

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Anemia
Colonoscopy
Diarrhea
Eggs
Eosinophils
Humans
Hygiene
Intestinal Obstruction
Nausea
Ovum
Parasites
Refugees
Trichuriasis
Trichuris
Vomiting
Water
Weight Loss
Water