Histopathological study of Enterobius vermicularis among appendicitis patients in Gaza strip, Palestine

Abstract

Enterobius vermicularis is one of the most common intestinal parasite in human. The main objective of this study is to determine the role of E. vermicularis in appendicitis through histopathological examination. A cross sectional study included 200 patients who had appendectomy from three hospitals in Gaza strip. The inflamed appendix was the cause of attending the hospital. Histopathological examination for each appendix was carried out. A questionnaire was designed (interview with patients who underwent appendectomy), and information were obtained from patient and analyzed by using SPSS. The study showed that 30 (15.0 %) of 200 appendices had E. vermicularis in histopathological examination. It was found that ages of patients with histologically proven E. vermicularis in appendices less than 18 years old was found to be (18.2 %). Regarding sex, (16.5 %) of females, (14.0 %) of males patients had E. vermicularis in appendices. Patients who had the highest infection with E. vermicularis were students (17.3 %). In conclusion E. vermicularis occurs more frequently inflamed appendices than in normal. From these results we can conclude that E. vermicularis could be associated to cause of appendicitis in Gaza strip.

Keywords: Appendicitis; Enterobius vermicularis; Gaza strip; Histopathology.

Fig. 1

Histological processing of appendix (from a to b). a length and greatest diameter of appendix, b staining

Fig. 2

The histopahtological findings of E. vermicularis and appendix (From a to h). a normal appendix, b perforated appendix, c whole worm in appendix tissue, d L.S. of Enterobius inside the appendix, e calcified degenerated worm, f Mucosa and E. vermicularis TS, g. appendix and TS of E. vermicularis, h eggs and part of the adult worm