APPENDICEAL INFECTION BY ENTAMOEBA-HISTOLYTICA AND STRONGYLOIDES-STERCORALIS PRESENTING LIKE ACUTE APPENDICITIS

A 58-year-old male from Puerto Rico who was taking orally administered cortisone analogs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with fever, absolute eosinophilia, right lower quadrant pain, and rebound tenderness associated with Strongyloides stercoralis infection of the appendix. A 37-year-old alcoholic male developed fever, right lower quadrant abdominal pain, and rebound tenderness because of infection of the appendix with Entamoeba histolytica. These are the seventh reported case of isolated amebic appendicitis and the ninth reported case of appendiceal involvement with Strongyloides. In all these cases the diagnosis was made only after surgery. Patients with unexplained right lower quadrant pain, particularly if immunosuppressed or with an appropriate travel history, should have stool examinations for ova and parasites. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent life-threatening complications such as perforation and peritonitis. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.