dioctophymiasis

Dioctophymiasis: A Rare Parasitic Infection

Dioctophymiasis, also known as human dioctophymiasis or giant kidney worm disease, is a rare parasitic infection caused by the nematode Dioctophyme renale. This infection affects humans and other carnivorous mammals, such as dogs, cats, wolves, and mink.

Clinical Manifestations

The main clinical manifestations of dioctophymiasis in humans include:

• Loin pain: A significant symptom reported in 59.5% of cases [5].
• Hematuria: Blood in the urine, also reported in 59.5% of cases [5].

These symptoms are typically caused by the presence of the giant kidney worm in the kidneys.

Transmission and Risk Factors

Dioctophymiasis is transmitted to humans through the consumption of undercooked or raw meat from infected animals. The risk factors for this infection include:

• Eating undercooked food, particularly meat from carnivorous mammals.
• Living in areas where dioctophymiasis is prevalent.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Dioctophymiasis can be diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. However, the exact diagnosis of this infection is often challenging due to its rarity [4].

Treatment for dioctophymiasis typically involves surgical removal of the worm from the kidneys, followed by supportive care to manage symptoms.

Prevention

To prevent dioctophymiasis, it is essential to:

• Cook meat thoroughly before consumption.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat from carnivorous mammals.
• Practice good hygiene and food handling practices.

By taking these precautions, individuals can reduce their risk of contracting this rare parasitic infection.

Dioctophymiasis Signs and Symptoms

Dioctophymiasis, a parasitic infection caused by the nematode Dioctophyme renale, can manifest in various ways. The clinical signs and symptoms of this condition are crucial for diagnosis.

• Hematuria: Blood in urine is a common symptom of dioctophymiasis, affecting approximately 59.5% of cases [2][3][8][9].
• Loin pain: Severe loin pain is another prevalent symptom, reported in about 59.5% of human dioctophymiasis cases [2][8][9].
• Fever: Fever can be a sign of infection, although it's not as commonly reported as hematuria and loin pain.
• Abdominal pain: Severe abdominal pain is another symptom associated with dioctophymiasis.
• Weight loss: Rapid weight loss can occur due to the infection.
• Ureteral obstruction: The nematode can cause ureteral obstruction, leading to further complications.

It's essential to note that subclinical infections are common in dioctophymiasis. In such cases, the symptoms may be mild or absent altogether.

References:

[1] F Yang (2019) - Occasionally some patients may present with fever, anemia, abdominal pain, and weight loss as well as frequent and urgent urine and retention of ...

[2] F Yang (2019) - The main clinical manifestations of human dioctophymiasis were loin pain (59.5%) and hematuria (59.5%).

[3] Individuals with Dioctophyme renale infestation (known as dioctophymosis) typically present with unspecific symptoms including hematuria (blood in urine), ...

[4] Major Clinical Signs: Subclinical infections are common.

[5] What are the Signs and Symptoms of Dioctophymiasis? · Fever · Severe abdominal pain · Rapid weight loss · Irritation in the ureter due to movement of D. · Hematuria

[6] Feb 7, 2024 — Animals exhibiting clinical signs may demonstrate pain, blood in urine, or fever.

[7] This nematode resides in the renal pelvis where it causes severe hemorrhagic or purulent pyelitis, subsequent ureteral obstruction, and destruction of the ...

[8] Apr 9, 2019 — The main clinical manifestations of human dioctophymiasis were loin pain (59.5%) and hematuria (59.5%).

[9] by F Yanga ·

Dioctophymiasis, also known as giant kidney worm infection, can be diagnosed through various tests and examinations.

Common diagnostic methods include:

• Microscopic examination: This involves examining a patient's urine sediment under a microscope to detect the characteristic eggs of the Dioctophyma renale parasite [1][3].
• Ultrasonography: This imaging test can help identify the presence of the parasite in the kidneys and other organs [2][4].
• Physical examination and symptom assessment: A complete physical examination, including a thorough assessment of symptoms, is also an essential part of diagnosing dioctophymiasis [7].

Other diagnostic methods may be used:

• Molecular diagnosis: This involves using DNA extraction from blood specimens to detect the presence of the parasite [6].
• Detection of parasite antigens: Specialized tests can help identify the presence of antigens related to the Dioctophyma renale parasite [6].

Note: A definitive diagnosis of dioctophymiasis is typically made through the identification of D. renale eggs in a patient's urine sediment [8][9].

Treatment Options for Dioctophymiasis

Dioctophymiasis, a parasitic infection caused by the giant kidney worm (Dioctophyme renale), is a rare and serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. While there are no established drug treatments for this condition, some medications have been explored as potential options.

Limited Efficacy of Anti-Helminth Drugs

According to search results [1], the use of anti-helminth drugs has not yet been evaluated as a proper course of action to treat D. renale infection. However, there are reports of patients being cured effectively with ivermectin after two regimens of this medicine [2]. In China, three cases received treatment with albendazole, and no adult worms and eggs were observed later [3].

Surgical Removal as a Common Treatment

The knowledge about effective drugs to treat the infection is very scarce, and the treatment is mostly done by nephrectomy or nephrotomy according to the infection in one or both kidneys, respectively [4]. This suggests that surgical removal of the affected kidney may be a more common and effective treatment option for dioctophymiasis.

Other Treatment Options

Symptomatic treatment often involves antibiotics, IV fluids, and gastrointestinal irritation aids, to help relieve secondary symptoms of a D. renale infection [7]. However, these treatments are not specifically targeted at the parasite itself and may not be effective in eliminating the infection.

Uncertainty Surrounding Drug Treatment

The search results highlight the uncertainty surrounding drug treatment for dioctophymiasis. While some medications have been explored as potential options, there is limited evidence to support their efficacy in treating this condition [5]. Further research is needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies for dioctophymiasis.

References:

[1] Search result 2 [2] Search result 2 [3] Search result 2 [4] Search result 3 [5] Search

Differential Diagnosis of Dioctophymiasis

Dioctophymiasis, a rare parasitic infection caused by the nematode Dioctophyme renale, can be challenging to diagnose due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms. However, there are several conditions that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dioctophymiasis.

• Toxocara canis: This parasitic infection