Intestinal spirochetosis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease in children.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal spirochetosis is an unusual infection in children and its clinical significance in humans is uncertain. The presence of these microorganisms in humans is well-known since the late 1800's and was first described in 1967 by Harland and Lee by electron microscopy.


METHODS
This article reports the findings of one pediatric case, review of the current literature, and an overview of therapeutic options.


CONCLUSIONS
A high degree of suspicion is required in cases presenting with abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea and/or hematochezia associated with a normal endoscopic examination, thus emphasizing the importance of multiple biopsies throughout the colon.
Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Lausanne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Rue du Bugnon 46, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Rossana
R
Helbling
Maria-Chiara
MC
Osterheld
Bernard
B
Vaudaux
Katia
K
Jaton
Andreas
A
Nydegger
D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D013145:Spirochaetales Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*