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Pelvic inflammatory disease associated with Enterobius vermicularis
T Tandan1, A J Pollard, D M Money
1Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Paediatrics, BC's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|May 23, 2002
Summary
A rare case of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in a young girl was caused by pinworms. While medication resolved the infection, recurrent abdominal pain persisted, highlighting the complex pathology of ectopic pinworm migration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is typically associated with sexually transmitted infections.
- Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) infestation is common in children but rarely linked to PID.
- Ectopic migration of parasites can cause unusual clinical presentations.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old, sexually inactive female presented with symptoms suggestive of PID.
- Diagnostic evaluation revealed Enterobius vermicularis infestation as the likely etiology.
- The patient received albendazole, which eradicated the pinworms.
Findings:
- Despite successful antiparasitic treatment, the patient experienced recurrent lower abdominal pain.
- This suggests that ectopic migration of pinworms can lead to persistent or secondary abdominal pathology.
- A review of existing literature supports the association between ectopic pinworm migration and abdominal pain.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of PID, even in non-sexually active individuals.
- The findings suggest that pinworm migration beyond the gastrointestinal tract can cause significant morbidity.
- Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and long-term consequences of ectopic pinworm migration.