The Brief Case: hidden intruders—serendipitous discovery of an infection after appendicitis surgery

June 11, 2025
Clinical Microbiology
Nada Ben Halima, Brice Autier, Federica Attaianese, Maya Husain, Florence Robert-Gangneux, Estelle Sabourin, Nadia Guennouni, Eric Dannaoui, Marie-Elisabeth Bougnoux
Pathogen:Enterobius vermicularis
Infection Type:Intestinal parasitic infection
Pathogen Type:Parasite

Summary

A 12-year-old boy presented with acute appendicitis and underwent surgery. Post-operatively, a histological examination of the resected appendix revealed the incidental presence of pinworms, specifically Enterobius vermicularis, within the lumen. The patient had not exhibited any prior symptoms indicative of parasitic infection. Diagnosis was made through histopathology, confirming the presence of the parasite. This serendipitous discovery highlights the importance of routine histological examination of appendectomy specimens, as asymptomatic parasitic infections can be unexpectedly identified. The finding did not alter the patient's immediate post-operative care.

Key note: Routine histological examination of appendectomy specimens can reveal unexpected asymptomatic parasitic infections.

DOI: 10.1186/s130