Paracapillaria philippinensis Infection in India: A Report of Four Cases

Capillaria philippinensis (recently renamed Paracapillaria philippinensis [P. philippinensis]) is a nematode infection endemic to Southeast Asia and Egypt and is rarely reported in India. This disease can be fatal if it is not diagnosed early and treated appropriately. Four cases of P. philippinensis infection identified over a decade from a single center in India are reported. All patients presented with diarrhea and reported symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and pedal edema, suggesting malabsorption. Hypoalbuminemia was noted in three patients. In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed via the detection of P. philippinensis ova during stool examination. Three patients responded well to albendazole; mebendazole was prescribed to the other patient, who was subsequently lost to follow-up. In the present report, the authors suggest considering Paracapillaria infection as a differential diagnosis for chronic diarrhea with an unclear etiology and aim to raise awareness among healthcare providers working in regions where Paracapillaria infections are infrequently reported.