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Surprising finding on colonoscopy
Nicole Griglione1, Jahnavi Naik, Jennifer Christie
1Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. ngrigli@emory.edu
The Journal of Family Practice
|February 10, 2010
Summary
A patient presented with rectal bleeding and eosinophilia. Colonoscopy revealed motile organisms in the cecum, suggesting a parasitic infection, likely Anisakiasis, acquired during travel to Latin America.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- A 48-year-old male patient reported intermittent, painless rectal bleeding and early morning awakenings.
- He had a history of travel to Latin America, including Cuba, Mexico, and Brazil, over the past decade.
Observation:
- Physical and rectal examinations were unremarkable, with negative Hemoccult stool tests.
- Laboratory results showed persistent eosinophilia (10%–24%) over several years.
Findings:
- Colonoscopy identified numerous white, thin, motile organisms throughout the colon, predominantly in the cecum.
- The patient also had nonbleeding internal hemorrhoids.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a parasitic infection, potentially Anisakiasis, as the cause of the patient's symptoms and eosinophilia.
- Further microbiological evaluation of the aspirated organisms is necessary for definitive diagnosis and targeted management.
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