Histopathological Study of Enterobius vermicularis among Appendicitis Patients in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Enterobius vermicularis is one of the most common intestinal parasite in human. The adult worms inhabit the lumen of the intestine in the region of the ileum, cecum. It estimated that 400 million persons are infected by pinworm worldwide. The adult worms lay them eggs in appendix, but still remains controversial if it causes appendicitis. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Enterobius vermicularis infection and appendicitis among patients in Gaza strip. 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. Using questionnaire (interview with patients who underwent appendectomy), and data and information were obtained from patient 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 18 (18.2%). Also, 13 (16.5%) of females, 17 (14.0%) of males patients 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 inGaza strip.