Capillaria philippinensis infection in Khoozestan Province, Iran: case report

Intestinal capillariasis was diagnosed in a 30-year-old fisherman from Malihan Village, Khoozestan Province, Iran. He reported a more than two month history of diarrhea, borborygmus, muscular atrophy, and debility. Eggs, larvae, and adults of Capillaria philippinensis were found in his feces. Treatment with mebendazole 400 mg per day for 25 days resulted in clinical and parasitological cure. The patient had reported eating a few small viable fish almost two months before clinical symptoms appeared. This is the first report of this infection from the Middle East.