Journal of
Parasitology and Vector Biology

  • Abbreviation: J. Parasitol. Vector Biol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2510
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPVB
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 204

Review

Intestinal Obstruction from Ascariasis: Report of a case in a 4 year old child

Adama Zida
  • Adama Zida
  • Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Kiswendsida Thierry Guiguemde
  • Kiswendsida Thierry Guiguemde
  • Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, UFR SDS, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Patindoilba Marcel Sawadogo
  • Patindoilba Marcel Sawadogo
  • Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Flora Coulibaly
  • Flora Coulibaly
  • Department of Pediatrics, Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Benjamin Ouedraogo
  • Benjamin Ouedraogo
  • Department of Food safety, National Public Health Laboratory, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Ibrahim Sangare
  • Ibrahim Sangare
  • Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Souro Sanou University Hospital, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
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Sanata Bamba
  • Sanata Bamba
  • Department of Parasitology-Mycology, Souro Sanou University Hospital, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
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  •  Received: 08 March 2023
  •  Accepted: 12 May 2023
  •  Published: 31 July 2023

Abstract

Ascaris lumbricoides is an intestinal nematode of humans. The parasite has been associated with intestinal pathology, respiratory symptoms and malnutrition in children in endemic areas. We report a case of digestive ascariasis complicated by intestinal obstruction in a 4-year-old boy. On admission, the symptomatology was marked by abdominal pain and vomiting in which adult of A. lumbricoides worms were demonstrated. The biological workup identified the worm and demonstrated A. lumbricoides eggs in the stools. Moderate anemia and metabolic acidosis were noted. An abdominal X-ray and abdominal ultrasound provided evidence of an intestinal obstruction. A single dose of 400 mg of Albendazole tablets administered orally, combined with management of dehydration, resulted in a favorable remission after 48 h, with cessation of vomiting, resumption of transit and regaining of appetite. This case of ascariasis complicated by intestinal obstruction highlights the need to systematically carry out a parasitological examination of the faeces in the presence of any digestive disorder in persons at risk, particularly children living in rural areas in tropical zones.

Key words: Geohelminthiasis ascariasis, Ascaris lumbricoides, intestinal nematode, intestinal obstruction, children.