Taenia infestation in the appendix: a case report

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2013 Nov;44(6):959-62.

Abstract

Taenia saginata is a zoonotic cestode causing taeniasis. Taeniasis refers to the intestinal infection with the adult stage of this tapeworm. An association between teaniasis and acute appendicitis is uncommon. We present the case of a 37 year old male who presented with abdominal pain for one day. He was diagnosed with having appendicitis and an appendectomy was performed. Pathology of the appendix showed Taenia saginata with eggs in the lumen. Histological analysis showed acute inflammation consistent with acute appendicitis caused by T. saginata.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Appendectomy
  • Appendicitis / parasitology*
  • Appendicitis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Taeniasis / diagnosis*