Rare trematode infestation in irritable bowel syndrome: Pathogen or commensal?

Abstract

A healthy young adult male presented with complaints of frequent (>3/day) formed stools and passage of excessive mucous in stool for 3 months. He did not complain of nocturnal motions, recent diarrhea, blood in stool, straining, weight loss, or pain abdomen. Stool test was normal. He was counseled and treated as a case of irritable bowel syndrome. Due to inadequate relief with empirical therapy, colonoscopy was performed in a subsequent visit. Club-shaped small, round organisms with moving proboscis were seen in the cecum. Organism was later identified as a trematode Gastrodiscoides hominis, a rare foodborne trematode. The patient was treated with praziquantel, without complete relief. Trematode infection might not be the cause of symptoms.

Key words

Gastrodiscoides hominis - irritable bowel syndrome - praziquantel - trematode

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