Article Text
Abstract
Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworm, is a helminth that commonly causes intestinal parasitic infestation. E. vermicularis can also cause extraintestinal infestations. We report a case of lower abdominal pain and intermittent vaginal bleeding in a 45-year-old woman who was referred to our gynaecology department. On investigation, a transvaginal ultrasound showed a multilocular cyst in the left ovary, along with elevated levels of cancer antigen 125. Consequently, a laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. A biopsy of atypical peritoneal lesions revealed remains of E. vermicularis. Peritoneal lesions are a rare complication of enterobiasis, and the diagnosis of this complication is usually delayed by limitations in diagnostic options. Although extraintestinal enterobiasis does not require treatment because it is the last stage of the parasitic cycle, primary intestinal infestation requires treatment with mebendazole.
- obstetrics and gynaecology
- infectious diseases
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Footnotes
Contributors AO was involved in the patient’s care and critically revised the article. BC was responsible for drafting the article, collecting data/background information and the interpreting the data. SM provided and interpreted the images. PS gave the final approval for the version published.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer-reviewed.