Related Experiment Videos

Acari-Induced Diarrhea in Young Adult Patients: Case Report From Indonesia

Lyana Setiawan1, Jessica Levina2, Taswin Prawira3

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Dharmais National Cancer Hospital, Jakarta City, Jakarta, Indonesia.

The American Journal of Case Reports
|July 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal acariasis, caused by ingesting mite-contaminated food, can lead to diarrhea. Storage mites like Tyrophagus spp. found in food may be an underrecognized cause of this gastrointestinal issue.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Entomology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Intestinal acariasis results from consuming food contaminated with mites, often storage mites like Tyrophagus putrescentiae.
  • This condition can manifest as diarrhea and abdominal pain, but remains underdiagnosed.
  • Mites are frequently found in staple food products such as grains and flour.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight intestinal acariasis as a potential cause of diarrhea.
  • To present case reports of patients with mite-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • To emphasize the need for increased awareness and further research.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of three patients presenting with diarrhea.
  • Microscopic examination of stool specimens to identify mites.
  • Identification of etiological agents where possible (Tyrophagus spp.).

Main Results:

  • All three patients exhibited mites in their stool samples and presented with diarrhea.
  • Tyrophagus spp. were identified as the cause in two cases.
  • Mites can cause intestinal inflammation, mucosal damage, and immune responses.

Conclusions:

  • Mites should be considered a potential etiological agent for unexplained diarrhea.
  • Further research into intestinal acariasis and associated diseases is necessary.
  • Increased clinical suspicion can improve diagnosis and management.

Related Concept Videos

Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:30

Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Acute pancreatitis presents a complex medical emergency characterized by rapid onset inflammation of the pancreas, demanding timely diagnosis and management to prevent complications. The condition primarily manifests through severe upper abdominal pain that often radiates to the back. This pain intensifies following the consumption of fatty foods. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, fever, dyspnea, cyanosis, and jaundice can vary in intensity but significantly...
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include: