Abdominal Sparganosis in Ecuador: a Case Report

Michael A. Kron Michigan State University, East Lansing, Hospital Vozandes, Michigan, USA

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Ronald Guderian Michigan State University, East Lansing, Hospital Vozandes, Michigan, USA

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Angel Guevara Michigan State University, East Lansing, Hospital Vozandes, Michigan, USA

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Arturo Hidalgo Michigan State University, East Lansing, Hospital Vozandes, Michigan, USA

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1991.44.146
Volume/Issue:
Volume 44: Issue 2
Page(s):
146–150
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Sparganosis, infection with plerocercoids of the pseudophyllidean tapeworm Spirometra, rarely has been described in Ecuador. We report the details of a human case of sparganosis identified serendipitously in the course of an abdominal hernia repair. The parasite was found moving freely upon the external oblique fascia adjacent to the site of a direct abdominal hernia. The organism was recovered intact, photographed while alive and preserved for subsequent detailed morphological studies. The presumed route of entry into this patient was percutaneous, after application of a poultice of snake flesh to the site of a painful abdominal hernia. The literature on sparganosis in South America is reviewed. This is the second case of human sparganosis reported from Ecuador.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1991 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1991
Published Online:
Feb 1991
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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