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Appendiceal spirochetosis
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Appendiceal spirochetosis is rarely described in the literature. We assessed the incidence of spirochetosis in a series of 109 appendectomies (76 adult and 33 pediatric cases) done for either suspected acute appendicitis or as a concurrent procedure. Appendiceal spirochetosis was identified on hematoxylin-eosin sections and confirmed by Steiner and Steiner stain and ultrastructural study in two women and two men. One of these four patients was found to have HIV infection. The HIV status of the other three patients was unknown. We observed appendiceal spirochetosis to be an uncommon phenomenon that affects both sexes, occurring with or without symptoms of acute appendicitis. None of our four positive cases occurred in the pediatric age group.
Insights
Appendiceal spirochetosis is a rare finding in appendectomies, affecting adults of both sexes, with or without appendicitis symptoms. This study found no cases in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Appendiceal spirochetosis is infrequently documented in medical literature.
- The condition's prevalence and clinical associations require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of appendiceal spirochetosis in a series of appendectomy specimens.
- To characterize the demographic and clinical features of patients with appendiceal spirochetosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 109 appendectomy cases (76 adult, 33 pediatric).
- Histopathological examination using hematoxylin-eosin, Steiner, and Steiner stains.
- Ultrastructural studies for confirmation.
Main Results:
- Appendiceal spirochetosis was identified in 4 adult patients (2 male, 2 female).
- One patient was HIV-positive; the status of the other three was unknown.
- No cases were observed in the pediatric group.
Conclusions:
- Appendiceal spirochetosis is an uncommon finding in appendectomy specimens.
- It affects adults of both sexes and can occur independently of acute appendicitis symptoms.
- The condition was not observed in pediatric cases within this study cohort.