1/26. Delusion of infestation with post-partum onset: case report. Compared with men, women have a greater lifetime risk of delusions of infestation, with the risk appearing to increase around the menopause, when the blood levels of reproductive hormones are decreasing. women also have a greater lifetime risk of depression and an increased incidence of depressive symptoms post partum, when the blood levels of these hormones are decreasing as well. The first case of a delusion of infestation with post-partum onset is described, and possible associations with reproductive function in women are discussed. ( info) |
2/26. The hypereosinophilic syndrome after residence in a tropical country: report of 4 cases. Severe eosinophilia may be complicated by acute or chronic visceral damage. The underlying origin of the hypereosinophilia may be infectious, allergic, toxic, malignant or systemic (the secondary or reactive hypereosinophilic syndrome), but in a number of cases no cause can be found (the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome). We describe 4 cases with hypereosinophilia and secondary visceral damage after residence in a tropical region. In three cases a helminthic infection was the obvious cause, the brain and the heart were the target organs. After treatment of the infection both the hypereosinophilia and the neurological and cardiac lesions disappeared. The fourth patient died of multi-organ disease. No definite trigger of the hypereosinophilia could be found. We discuss clinical findings, necessary investigations and therapeutic strategies. ( info) |
3/26. Aspects of human parasites in which surgical intervention may be important. Until recently, physicians and surgeons in developed countries only occasionally encountered patients with parasitic protozoan and helminthic infections. High-speed travel, immigration and the popularity of the tropics as vacation areas have increased the number of people at risk for parasitic disease. This chapter examines the significant literature on a select number of protozoan and helminthic parasites for which surgical intervention is important in the diagnosis, treatment or cure of the disease. Although traditional surgical approaches are covered, emphasis is placed on recent advances in the areas of transplantation and minimally invasive surgery. Combining the disciplines of parasitology and surgery, this chapter covers three protozoan and seven helminthic parasites for which surgery is a valid treatment option based on the frequency of cases reported in the literature. Following coverage of the selected parasites, a table is included listing additional helminths for which surgery contributes to patient management. physicians in the USA, UK, and europe need to be more aware of the presentation and treatment of parasitic infections. It is our sincere hope that this review accomplishes that goal, and ultimately benefits the patients we serve. ( info) |
4/26. Acanthocephalan infection in man in northern nigeria. Acanthocephalan ova, indistinguishable from the ovoid eggs of moniliformis moniliformis, were detected in the stools of a 45-year-old man at the University of Jos health Clinic, nigeria. The patient complained of general body weakness, occasional giddiness and intermittent burning sensations around the umbilicus. Successful treatment with niclosamide and the possible source of infection are communicated. ( info) |
5/26. Atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of delusional parasitosis. delusional parasitosis is the false belief that one's body is infested with one or many different living organisms. Historically, it has been treated with conventional antipsychotics with only moderate success. The conventional antipsychotic most commonly used has been pimozide. We report a series of five cases of patients with delusional parasitosis. Our patients' demographic characteristics were similar to those in previously published case reports, but instead of being treated with older antipsychotics, they were all treated with atypical antipsychotic agents with favorable results. We will discuss the rationale for this treatment choice, and will review the role of serotonin/dopamine antagonists in the treatment of delusional parasitosis. We will also comment on the possible role of serotonergic antidepressants in the treatment of these patients. ( info) |
6/26. Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum by roundworm. An 11-month-old girl child presented with distension of abdomen, constipation, vomiting and fever. X-ray of the abdomen suggested intestinal obstruction. Exploration revealed the distal ileum to be kinked around a band running from the tip of a congested Meckel's diverticulum to the lateral pelvic wall. A small perforation was noticed at the tip of the diverticulum and a live roundworm was found lying free in the peritoneal cavity. The diverticulum along with a segment of adjoining bowel was resected and end-to-end anastomosis done. The diverticulum had a wide lumen and showed no heterotopic tissue on subsequent examination. ( info) |
7/26. Hookworm infestation in a 3-month old female. BACKGROUND: Intestinal helminthiasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children particularly in the tropics and subtropics. This report highlights the possibility of hookworm infestation in infancy. METHOD: A case report of hookworm infestation in a three-month old infant who was managed in the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in May 2001 for failure to thrive and recurrent severe anaemia. RESULT: The patient was admitted in the children's emergency ward with passage of dark watery stools, fever, excessive crying and severe anemia and was transfused twice. Stool microscopy revealed numerous ova of hookworm and she was treated with albendazole. Three days after administration of anti-helminthic, stools became formed with normal colour and temperature was normal. She gained weight before discharge home. CONCLUSION: Hookworm infestation should be suspected as a cause of severe anaemia in infants in communities with a high risk of infestation such as fishing port communities. To the best of my knowledge, symptomatic hookworm infestation in the first year of life has not been previously documented in nigeria. ( info) |
8/26. First record of human acanthocephalan infections in australia. Two cases of asymptomatic acanthocephalan infections in infants are described. We believe this is the first report from australia of infection with these parasites in humans. Their clinical, epidemiological and biological significance is discussed. ( info) |
9/26. Monosymptomatic delusions of parasitosis associated with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Monosymptomatic delusion of infestation (parasitosis) occur in idiopathic psychoses but have rarely been observed in patients with neurologic or systemic illnesses. A patient was observed in whom the delusion occurred in the presence of demonstrable cerebrovascular disease. The delusional symptoms were contralateral to the principal site of ischemic injury. delusions of infestation may reflect an acquired neurologic or metabolic disorder, and medical and neurologic evaluation should be pursued in elderly patients presenting with this syndrome. ( info) |
| The ninth record of a human infection with the acanthocephalan worm Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in thailand is reported. The parasite was removed during laparotomy after perforation through the intestine of a 30-year-old woman. ( info) |