Hypereosinophilia and epigastralgia after visiting Tunisia: a rare differential diagnosis of helminthiases

Med Sante Trop. 2018 Aug 1;28(3):334-336. doi: 10.1684/mst.2018.0806.

Abstract

Causes of hypereosinophilia among travelers returning from North Africa are dominated by helminth infections, especially when associated with gastrointestinal signs. Non-infectious causes must nonetheless be investigated after negative microbiological assessment and failure of a broad empiric antiparasite treatment. We report the case of a young man with epigastralgia and major weight loss since a stay in Tunisia. Empiric treatment with albendazole was not successful. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis was diagnosed and resolved under corticosteroid treatment.

Keywords: eosinophilic gastroenteritis; helminth infections; hypereosinophilia; travel medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enteritis / complications
  • Enteritis / diagnosis*
  • Enteritis / parasitology
  • Eosinophilia / complications
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis*
  • Eosinophilia / parasitology
  • Gastritis / complications
  • Gastritis / diagnosis*
  • Gastritis / parasitology
  • Helminthiasis / complications
  • Helminthiasis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pain / etiology
  • Travel-Related Illness*
  • Tunisia

Supplementary concepts

  • Eosinophilic enteropathy