Three common presentations of ascariasis infection in an urban emergency department

In the United States, approximately 4 million people per year are infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. We reviewed the common presentations of complications of Ascariasis infection in the Emergency Department (ED) and the diagnostic tools and treatment available, This was a retrospective case review conducted on all patients diagnosed with Ascariasis (using ICD-9 codes) over a 6-year period at Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center. Three patients with distinct complications secondary to Ascariasis were chosen, and all ED and inpatient records were reviewed. The patient's age, sex, race, presenting symptoms, data, outcome, and ED course and diagnosis were recorded. The three cases included a periappendiceal abscess, Loeffler's syndrome, and biliary colic/choledocholithiasis. The first patient underwent a computed tomography-guided drainage of the abscess. The second patient received supportive care and antibiotic therapy secondary to a superimposed bacterial pneumonia, The third patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy. All three patients had a stool ova and parasites positive for A. lumbricoides, and all received a 3-day course of mebendazole, Symptomatic cases of Ascariasis may present to EDs in the United States. Important diagnostic tools for the ED include chest X-ray, X-ray of the kidney-ureter-bladder and ultrasonography. Single-dose medications given in the ED are very effective in eradicating A. lumbricoides infection, thus avoiding hospitalization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.