Human syngamosis: an unusual cause of chronic cough in travellers
- Andrea Angheben1,
- Maria Gobbo2,
- Federico Gobbi1,
- Andrea Bravin3,
- Fabio Toneatti4,
- Franco Crismancich4,
- Andrea Rossanese1,
- Zeno Bisoffi1
- 1Hospital Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria, Centre for Tropical Diseases, Via Don Sempreboni 5, Negrar, 37024, Italy
- 2Hospital Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria, Laboratory of Parasitology, Via Don Sempreboni 5, Negrar, 37024, Italy
- 3Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Ospedali Riuniti”, Patologia Clinica, Via Farneto 3, Trieste, 34142, Italy
- 4Casa di Cura Pineta del Carso, Pneumologia e Riabilitazione Respiratoria, Viale Stazione 26, Aurisina, Trieste, 34011, Italy
- Andrea Angheben, andrea.angheben{at}sacrocuore.it
- Published 23 April 2009
Summary
We describe a case of syngamosis in a 43-year-old Italian tourist presenting with chronic cough and episodes of haemoptysis upon return from the Caribbean. The patient underwent many diagnostic procedures and was repeatedly, yet unsuccessfully, treated (for asthma, bronchitis and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) before the correct diagnosis was reached. During a fibre optic bronchoscopy a Y-shaped red object was extracted from the airways and identified as a pair of Mammomonogamus laryngeus. After this procedure the patient improved, although a dry cough persisted and two other minor episodes of haemoptysis occurred. The patient was treated with anti-helmintic drugs and recovered after 3 months.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: none.
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Patient consent: Patient/guardian consent was obtained for publication.
