Hepatic capillariasis in Maine presenting as a hepatic mass.
We report the first case of hepatic capillariasis in Maine. The patient was a 54-year-old male carpenter who presented with a subacute history of severe abdominal pain, fevers, and weight loss. Initial diagnostic studies suggested a hepatic mass associated with para-aortic lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent open laparotomy for resection of the mass. He was found to have an eosinophilic granuloma in the liver; further evaluation revealed degenerating Capillaria hepatica. The exact route of infection in this case is unknown but is most likely due to accidental ingestion of soil contaminated with mature capillaria eggs. This patient had a low parasite burden and did not exhibit significant peripheral eosinophilia. After treatment with thiabendazole, he recovered uneventfully.
Klenzak
Jennifer
J
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine 04102, USA. klenzj@mmc.org
Mattia
Anthony
A
Valenti
August
A
Goldberg
John
J
D000818:Animals; D002195:Capillaria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017189:Enoplida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008109:Liver Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008281:Maine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged