Abdominal Calcifications in a Patient From the Congo Basin with History of Snake Meat Consumption: Radiographic Evidence of Prior Armillifer Infection

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2023 Jan-Dec:11:23247096231188249. doi: 10.1177/23247096231188249.

Abstract

We report a case of a 60-year-old asymptomatic male with history of consumption of uncooked snake meat while living in the Congo basin and prior imaging showing multiple abdominal calcifications. Patient had multiple subepithelial colonic lesions identified during screening colonoscopy and microscopic examination of the lesions demonstrated a calcified nodule in the submucosa with overlying normal mucosa. However, no parasite was identified within the calcified nodule. Given the history of consumption of uncooked snake meat and the typical radiographic feature of multiple abdominal calcifications, it is very likely that the patient's radiographic abnormalities are due to prior Armillifer armillatus infection, a parasitic infection acquired from consumption of uncooked snake meat. Patient was asymptomatic at the time of evaluation and was not given anti-parasitic treatment.

Keywords: Armillifer; Armillifer armillatus; Congo basin; West Africa; parasitic infection; snake meat consumption; tropical infection; zoonotic infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcinosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis* / etiology
  • Congo
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meat / adverse effects
  • Meat / parasitology
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasitic Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Parasitic Diseases* / parasitology
  • Pentastomida*
  • Snakes / parasitology