A French case of porocephalosis diagnosed by radiologists

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Porocephalosis is a rare human parasitic infection caused by Armillifer species.
• Cases are predominantly reported from African communities, with limited data from European and North American populations.
• Transmission occurs through consumption of undercooked meat from infected intermediate hosts, such as snakes.

Observation:

• A 31-year-old male, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and residing in France, presented with lower back and mild abdominal pain.
• Abdominal imaging revealed multiple comma-shaped calcifications in the liver and peritoneal cavity.
• The patient reported a history of consuming undercooked snake meat during travels in Africa.

Findings:

• The clinical presentation and imaging findings, coupled with the patient's dietary history, led to the diagnosis of porocephalosis.
• This case illustrates a rare presentation of porocephalosis in a non-endemic setting (France).
• The characteristic comma-shaped calcifications on imaging are a key diagnostic clue.

Implications:

• Porocephalosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unexplained calcifications, particularly those with a history of travel to or residence in endemic areas, especially in Africa.
• Increased international travel may lead to a rise in the global incidence of porocephalosis.
• Clinicians should be aware of this zoonotic infection and its potential presentation in diverse geographical settings.