Intestinal Erosions from Parasites: Case Reports
Author Information
Author(s): Hannah Pitanga Lukashok, Carlos Robles-Jara, Carlos Robles-Medranda
Primary Institution: Instituto Ecuatoriano de Enfermedades Digestivas (IECED), OMNI Hospital, Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo (UEES), Guayaquil, Ecuador
Hypothesis
Can massive gastrointestinal bleeding be caused by parasites like Ascaris lumbricoides?
Conclusion
The study found that massive gastrointestinal bleeding can occur due to intestinal erosions caused by Ascaris lumbricoides.
Supporting Evidence
- Capsule endoscopy revealed multiple erosions in both patients.
- Both patients tested positive for Ascaris eggs in their stool.
- Treatment included antiparasitic medication and, in one case, a blood transfusion.
Takeaway
Sometimes, parasites can cause serious bleeding in the stomach, and doctors can find this out using a special camera that goes inside the body.
Methodology
The study involved two case reports of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding evaluated using capsule endoscopy.
Limitations
The study is based on only two case reports, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
One patient was a 54-year-old woman and the other a 36-year-old man.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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