Acute appendicitis caused by Taenia saginata: A case report

We report a case of acute appendicitis secondary to Taenia saginata infection. A young male presented with 17-hour migratory right lower quadrant pain. He had long-term residency in an agro-pastoral area and habits of consuming unboiled water and raw meat. Physical examination showed positive peritoneal irritation signs. Routine blood tests revealed elevated white blood cell count and normal eosinophil count; fecal routine was unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasound suggested acute appendicitis. Intraoperatively, the appendix was congested and edematous, with its tip wrapped by the greater omentum and a small amount of intra-abdominal pus. Transection with an ultrasonic scalpel expelled two yellowish-white, spontaneously wriggling flat tissues, identified as tapeworms. Resected appendix incision revealed two 1.0 cm-diameter fecaliths and 15 2.5 cm-long worms. Diagnosis was confirmed via parasite morphological identification and epidemiological history. Postoperative deworming with albendazole (400 mg/day for 3 days) was administered, with uneventful 3-month follow-up. Taeniasis is a foodborne parasitic disease, and acute appendicitis caused by it is uncommon. This detailed report of admitted cases aims to share diagnosis and treatment experience among medical institutions, improve clinicians' ability to identify "parasitic appendicitis", reduce diagnostic and therapeutic delays, and provide real-world evidence for research on the association between parasitic diseases and acute abdomen.