Amoebic toxic megacolon with poly-helminthic coinfection: Case presentation and review of intestinal polyparasitic infections

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are a health burden to developing countries, but can also become more prevalent worldwide, even in developed countries, with the advent of globalization. While most of these infections are benign, some may be associated with acute infections with high morbidity and mortality rates.

Case presentation: A 36 years old patient presented with toxic megacolon with poly-helminthic infections, likely a result of raw food ingestion. She subsequently required multiple surgeries with a total colectectomy and small bowel resection, and ended up with an end-ileostomy.

Discussion: Intestinal polyparasitism has been reported in undeveloped countries, but it appears that such a trend can be found in developed countries as well. Clinicians, especially those practicing in countries with large expatriate or immigrant worker populations, should be aware of this trend and adjust treatment protocols accordingly.

Conclusion: Even in countries whereby intestinal parasitic infections are not common, clinicians should have a heightened awareness of the possibility for such infections to be present, especially in returning travellers, expatriate or immigrant populations.