An incidental case of human Heterophyes nocens infection diagnosed by sectional morphology in a biopsy specimen of the small intestine.
A case of human infection with Heterophyes nocens (Heterophyidae) was incidentally found in a biopsy specimen of the Meckel's diverticulum at the upper part of the small intestine. The patient was a 58-year-old man living in a rural area of Talsonggun, Kyongsangbuk-do. He had gastrointestinal symptoms such as epigastric pain, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort for 3 months, and severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting for about 1 month before hospitalization. Endoscopy of the upper part of the small intestine revealed a Meckel's diverticulum, and it was excised and histopathologically examined. Three adult flukes were incidentally found sectioned in the mucosa, and they were identified as H. nocens. The patient had a history of eating raw mullets at a fish market in Pusan 6 months ago, and the mullets were presumed to be the source of infection. This case brings a considerable interest in that specific diagnosis of heterophyid infections could be done by sectional morphology of the worms.
Ryang
Y S
YS
Department of Medical Technology, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea. ryangys@dragon.yonsei.ac.kr
Lee
C Y
CY
Lee
K J
KJ
Lee
S H
SH
Chai
J Y
JY
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D006578:Heterophyidae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008467:Meckel Diverticulum / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*