Parasitic appendicitis, what do we know?-a literature review

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common surgical emergency, often diagnosed clinically.
• High rates of negative appendectomies necessitate improved diagnostic accuracy and consideration of alternative etiologies.
• Parasitic infections represent a potential, often overlooked, cause or mimic of AA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing research on the association between specific parasitic infections and acute appendicitis.
• To identify key parasitic species implicated in AA and their geographical prevalence.
• To guide clinicians in considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of AA.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of three major databases (PubMed, Ovid, Embase) was conducted.
• Inclusion criteria focused on articles mentioning Schistosoma spp., Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia spp., and Ascaris lumbricoides in relation to AA.
• Seventy-one studies published between 1949 and 2023 in English and French were selected after rigorous screening.

Main Results:

• Four parasitic organisms—Schistosoma spp., Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia spp., and Ascaris lumbricoides—showed strong associations with AA.
• The review highlights geographical regions where these parasitic infections are most prevalent.
• The need for further research to establish definitive causal relationships between these parasites and AA was identified.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between certain parasitic infections and acute appendicitis.
• Increased global travel necessitates greater physician awareness of parasitic causes of AA.
• Further investigation is required to confirm causality and refine diagnostic and treatment strategies.