Intestinal capillariasis in Egypt epidemiologigal background

ABSTRACT

Forty-four cases of intestinal capillariasis were diagnosed; 37 females and 7 males with ages ranged from 10 to 65 years, however most of them were between 20-40 years. Twenty-six cases were from the northern part of Upper Egypt, particularly Beni-Swif and Menia governorates. The patients were presented with borborygmi, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, loss of weight, lower limb edema and electrolyte imbalance for durations ranging from one month to two years. The morbidity and mortality of the disease in Egyptian cases were described. Some patients gave history of eating raw whole fish, while others gave history of eating raw parts of fish or half-cooked fish. The diagnosis was based on the clinical picture and confirmed stool analysis. The differential diagnosis was discussed and the cost paid by patients to reach the correct diagnosis was estimated