A 10-year-old boy presented with chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, initially misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. He had a history of travel to Mexico and consumption of raw vegetables. Stool microscopy revealed numerous Ascaris lumbricoides ova, confirming ascariasis. The patient was successfully treated with albendazole, leading to resolution of symptoms and expulsion of adult worms. This case highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, especially those with relevant travel history or dietary exposures, and emphasizes the utility of stool ova and parasite examination for accurate diagnosis.
Key note: Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly with travel history, warrant thorough parasitic investigation.