An unpleasant souvenir: Endoscopic finding of Trichuris trichiura (Nematoda: Trichuridae). (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peradotto, Marco; Rolle, Emanuela; Zaccaria, Teresa; Cavallero, Serena; Bondi, Alessandro; Bottino, Paolo; De Angelis, Claudio; D'Amelio, Stefano; Saracco, Giorgio Maria; Cavallo, Rossana
• Is Part Of: Parasitology international. Volume 80(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Trichuris -- Neglected tropical diseases -- Food and waterborne parasites -- HIV -- Endoscopy; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitic Diseases -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; 571.99905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102220
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1383-5769

Abstract

Abstract: Whipworms are responsible for up to 500 million cases of trichuriasis worldwide, with higher endemicity in tropical and sub-tropical countries. In non-endemic countries, trichuriasis can be accidentally diagnosed upon colonoscopy, often in the presence of negative microscopy. Here, we describe an incidental diagnosis of trichuriasis in an HIV patient residing in a non-endemic area (i.e., Turin, Italy), six months after his return from Antigua. The species-level diagnosis was made thanks to PCR-based molecular identification of Trichuris sp. following optical microscopy detection. Overall, this case highlights the importance of improving parasitic diseases diagnosis through cutting-edge clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools alongside advanced training of specialists in the area of parasitology.