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Intestinal parasites: a study of human appendices
L Cerva1, M Schrottenbaum, V Kliment
1Postgraduate Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Folia Parasitologica
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Enterobius vermicularis may cause appendicitis, while Dientamoeba fragilis is the most common intestinal parasite in Bohemia. This study examined appendix sections for various parasites and their associations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency.
- The role of parasitic infections in appendicitis is not fully understood.
- Intestinal protozoa are prevalent in many populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in appendiceal samples.
- To explore potential associations between parasites and appendicitis.
- To identify common intestinal protozoa in the Bohemian population.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of 414 appendix specimens.
- Parasitological analysis to detect helminths and protozoa.
- Statistical evaluation of parasite prevalence and age/sex distribution.
Main Results:
- Enterobius vermicularis (8.7%) and Dientamoeba fragilis (4.8%) were the most common findings.
- Appendicopathies linked to E. vermicularis were most frequent in children (6-10 years) and young adults (21-25 years).
- D. fragilis was more prevalent in women and most common in the 11-15 year age group.
Conclusions:
- E. vermicularis may play an etiologic role in acute appendicitis.
- D. fragilis is identified as the most common intestinal protozoan parasite in Bohemia.
- No interactions were observed between protozoa within the appendix.