ABSTRACT
The simultaneous occurrence of intestinal ascariasis and appendicitis presents a challenge in diagnosing pediatric abdominal emergencies due to overlapping symptoms. We present the case of an 8-year-old boy who experienced acute abdominal pain, characterized by a severe cramp in the mid and lower right abdomen, with pain rated 7 out of 10, a mild fever, and continuous nausea. The initial evaluation suggested appendicitis, supported by an Alvarado score of 9. However, ultrasonography did not conclusively confirm appendicitis but revealed an Ascaris worm in the ileum. This finding highlights the importance of careful diagnostic processes that combine clinical assessment with imaging techniques, while being mindful of their limitations. Surgical exploration confirmed retrocecal appendicitis coexisting with an Ascaris lumbricoides infection. The treatment involved surgical removal of the affected appendix and pharmacological expulsion of the parasitic worm using albendazole, which proved effective. This report emphasizes the consideration of ascariasis in diagnosing appendicitis, particularly in areas where intestinal parasites are common. It also demonstrated the improved diagnostic accuracy achieved through clinical scoring and imaging, thus reducing the risk of missing dual pathologies in young patients with acute abdominal pain.
ABSTRACT
AIM: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and viremic infection of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) in Kermanshah. BACKGROUND: Hepatitis delta is one of the most complex viral infections of liver that along with hepatitis B virus could lead to fulminant hepatitis, progressive chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Referrals with positive HBs Ag were included and tested for HDV Ab using ELISA. Seropositives were subsequently evaluated for viremia by assaying HDV RNA and HBV DNA using real-time PCR. Viremia-related variables were also assessed. RESULTS: From 1749 patients included, 30 had positive HDV Ab, which makes HDV seroprevalence 1.7%. Twenty-nine out of 30 seropositives were assayed for viremia. Fourteen cases (48.3%) had positive HDV PCR, 18 (62.1%) had positive HBV DNA. Eight patients (27.6%) had simultaneous replication of HBV and HDV, six (20.7%) only had HDV replication, ten (34.5%) only had HBV replication and five (17.2%) had no replication of either viruses. CONCLUSION: Kermanshah seems to be a low prevalent area in Middle East. Viremic HDV infection was lower compared to Europe and Africa, probably due to genetic variations of the hosts or the differences in genotypes or sub-types of hepatitis B and D viruses.
