Biliary ascariasis and severe bacterial outcomes: Report of three cases from a paediatric hospital in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Biliary ascariasis, although uncommon, can lead to infectious complications and severe outcomes. This study reported three patients with biliary ascariasis and who were admitted to a paediatric hospital in Salvador, Brazil. Case reports: Case 1: A 1-year-old boy, with HIV, hospitalised with diarrhoea, fever, pain, and abdominal distension. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy, which showed peritonitis secondary to a perforation of the hepatic duct by ascaris. Case 2: A 3-year-old boy admitted with fever, abdominal pain and jaundice. Imaging examination was suggestive of ascaris in the intrahepatic biliary tract and a hepatic abscess. Case 3: A 7-year-old boy who was hospitalised with a history of abdominal colic, jaundice and fever, with a suggestive image of ascaris in the biliary tract and evolution to sepsis. Discussion: Three cases of biliary ascariasis were reported with severe infectious complications involving peritonitis, hepatic abscess and sepsis. Conclusion: In endemic regions, biliary ascariasis should be considered in cases with jaundice, abdominal pain and fever, due to its morbidity and risk of complications.

Keywords

• Biliary ascariasis
• Ascaris lumbricoides
• Sepsis
• Liver abscess