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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2019 | Volume
: 22
| Issue : 2 | Page : 270-275 |
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Pathological changes in appendectomy specimens including the role of parasites: A retrospective study of 2400 cases of acute appendicitis
M Tayfur, MG Balci
Department of Pathology, Erzincan University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzincan, Turkey
| Date of Acceptance | 13-Nov-2018 |
| Date of Web Publication | 7-Feb-2019 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. M Tayfur
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Erzincan University, Erzincan
Turkey
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_271_18
 Abstract | | |
Background: Parasitic infestation of the appendix is uncommon. Parasitic infections can cause inflammation in the appendix and can imitate acute appendicitis clinically. Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia species are among the most common parasitic agents causing acute appendicitis. Objective: We have studied the ratio of parasites causing acute appendicitis in appendectomy specimens and whether there is any relationship between the type of the parasite, histopathological type of acute appendicitis, age of the patient, and gender of the patient in the appendectomy cases. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 2400 patients who underwent appendectomy with the prediagnosis of acute appendicitis between 1st January 2004 and 31st March 2018 at Erzincan University. The age of the patient, gender of the patient, histopathologic type of acute appendicitis, and the type of parasite were retrospectively analyzed. Positive appendectomy specimens for histopathological features of acute appendicitis were classified into four groups: catarrhal appendicitis, suppurative appendicitis, gangrenous appendicitis, and perforated appendicitis. Results: In all, 1451 were males and 949 were females. The mean age was 25.51 years. No acute inflammation was found in 36 appendectomy specimens. The distribution of 2364 cases involving acute appendicitis was as follows: catarrhal appendicitis: 438, suppurative appendicitis: 300, gangrenous appendicitis: 1082, and perforated appendicitis: 544. Parasites were identified in 32 cases. The ratio of appendices to parasites was 1.3%. The number of appendectomy cases with Enterobius vermicularis was 22, and the number with Taenia species was 10. Conclusion: Although they are a rare cause of acute appendicitis, parasitic infestations must always be considered. Accurate identification of acute appendicitis and appropriate therapy will improve the quality of life as much as the prevention of acute appendicitis sourced from parasites.
Keywords: Acute appendicitis, Enterobius vermicularis, parasite, Taenia
How to cite this article:
Tayfur M, Balci M G. Pathological changes in appendectomy specimens including the role of parasites: A retrospective study of 2400 cases of acute appendicitis. Niger J Clin Pract 2019;22:270-5 |
How to cite this URL:
Tayfur M, Balci M G. Pathological changes in appendectomy specimens including the role of parasites: A retrospective study of 2400 cases of acute appendicitis. Niger J Clin Pract [serial online] 2019 [cited 2022 Jul 3];22:270-5. Available from: https://www.njcponline.com/text.asp?2019/22/2/270/251785 |
| Introduction | |  |
Appendix vermiformis is a narrow, blind-ended tubular organ connected to the cecum. Acute inflammation of the appendix vermiformis is known as acute appendicitis. Acute appendicitis is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is related to obstruction, reduction in the blood supply, ischemic damage in the mucosa, and bacterial infection. The inflammation of other abdominal regions may also affect the appendix. In approximately 20% of such cases, no pathologic findings of acute inflammation are found.[1]
The pathologic spectrum of acute appendicitis has a wide range. The pathogenesis and etiology of acute nonspecific appendicitis are mysterious.[2] The appendix is the intra-abdominal organ that is most commonly operated on, and appendectomy due to acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgeries.[2],[3]
The histopathological classification of acute appendicitis is classified in various studies as catarrhal or focal, suppurative, gangrenous, and perforated, according to the degree to which the inflammation has spread to the layers of appendix. In catarrhal appendicitis, the inflammation consisting of neutrophils and edema is in the initial stage and is limited to the mucosal or submucosal area. In suppurative appendicitis, the inflammation is characterized by a large concentration marked edema with or without pus. The inflammation is seen in all the layers. In gangrenous appendicitis, the inflammation is seen in all the layers and there are dilated, congested blood vessels in the serosa and necrosis in the wall of the appendix. In perforated appendicitis, there is perforation in the muscularis propria and serosa due to the inflammation. The inflammation spreads from the serosa.[4],[5],[6],[7]
The effect of parasites on the causation of acute appendicitis has been debated for a long time.[8] Parasites found in the appendix can cause symptoms of acute appendicitis, but parasitic infection is rarely the cause of acute appendicitis.[9],[10],[11],[12],[13] There is a wide spectrum of pathologic findings, ranging from nonspecific changes to perforated appendicitis.[14] With a careful pathological examination, appendectomy specimens may reveal helminths and their ova parasitizing in the colon.[15]
Numerous parasitic agents can cause acute appendicitis and can imitate clinical symptoms of acute appendicitis.[16] The most common parasites causing acute appendicitis are Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma species, Taenia species, and Ascaris species.[17],[18]
Enterobius vermicularis is the most common parasitic infection in developed countries and is the most common parasitic agent causing acute appendicitis.[13],[19],[20],[21] It may be responsible for symptoms of appendicitis in the right lower abdominal area.[22],[23],[24] The eggs are elongate-oval in shape. They are surrounded by a thin wall. They include infective larvae.
Taenia sis is characterized by the presence of the Taenia species in the lumen of the intestine. The infection is usually characterized by the appearance of a portion of the parasite in the stool. The best known subtypes of Taenia are Taenia saginata and Taenia solium. It is impossible to differentiate Taenia saginata from Taenia solium from the egg morphology in the specimens because the appearance of the Taenia solium and Taenia saginata eggs is identical. The eggs have a spherical shape. They are surrounded by a thick striated wall. They contain an embryo. The separation of Taenia saginata from Taenia solium is made with proglottid. Proglottid is a uterine branch. Taenia saginata has relatively more lateral uterine branches than Taenia solium.[12],[25],[26]
Amebiasis is an infectious disease of the large intestine caused by Entamoeba histolytica, and 10% of the world population is affected by it. This parasite is rare in the appendix. Although it is generally found in the lumen of the appendix without accompanying inflammation, its association with acute appendicitis is rare. Preoperative diagnosis of amoebic appendicitis is almost impossible. With the exception of a stool examination, there are no clinical features or diagnostic laboratory tests that distinguish amoebic appendicitis from bacterial appendicitis.[27],[28]
Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infectious disease caused by Actinomyces subtypes. The cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominopelvic regions are the most common sites involved. In abdominal actinomycosis, the most commonly involved site is the ileocecal region, including the appendix.[29],[30],[31]
Schistosomiasis is a rare, chronic, infectious disease caused by Schistosoma haematobium. It rarely causes acute appendicitis.[32]
Ascariasis is one of the most common helminthic diseases and is usually caused by Ascaris lumbricoides. The regions in which 99% of the worms are located are the jejunum and the proximal ileum. This is rarely found in the appendix, making the diagnosis of appendicitis debatable. The symptoms of ascariasis may mimic acute appendicitis but rarely cause it.[33],[34],[35] The less visible parasites include Blastocystis hominis, Balantidium coli, Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis.[18],[33],[34]
Parasitic infestations should be considered in patients with acute appendicitis. Parasitic infections can cause inflammation in the appendix and can imitate acute appendicitis clinically. Detection of the parasite in the appendectomy specimen allows early treatment of the patient with parasitosis. In 2400 appendectomy specimens, it is aimed to share the results of parasitosis causing acute appendicitis and to contribute to the treatment and follow-up of patients.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Study design
This was a retrospective study.
Inclusion criteria
Patients who underwent appendectomy due to acute appendicitis were included in this study.
Exclusion criteria
Patients who underwent incidental appendectomy due to other surgeries were excluded from this study.
In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 2400 patients who underwent appendectomy with prediagnosis of acute appendicitis between 1st January 2004 and 31st March 2018 at Erzincan University, Mengucek Gazi Education and Research Hospital. A tissue-embedded paraffin block was prepared from the appendectomy specimen of each patient. Two sections of 4-μm thickness were prepared from each tissue-embedded paraffin block. These sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin stain. The pathological slides of all appendectomy specimens were re-evaluated.
The appendectomy specimens were classified as positive or negative according to acute appendicitis features. The positive appendectomy specimens for acute appendicitis features were classified into four groups: catarrhal appendicitis, suppurative appendicitis, gangrenous appendicitis, and perforated appendicitis.
We analyzed the ratio of parasites causing acute appendicitis in appendectomy specimens. The age of the patient, gender of the patient, type of acute appendicitis, and type of parasite were retrospectively analyzed.
Statistical analysis
Descriptive summary statistics were obtained for all independent and outcome variables. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (IBM SPSS Statistic for Windows, Version 20.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
| Results | | |
In this study, 1451 (60.5%) of 2400 appendectomy cases were males and 949 (39.5%) were females. The mean age was 25.51 years (24.13 in males and 27.64 in females). The age range was 1–93 years. Patients' gender ratio was 1.5.
Of the 2400 appendectomy cases, catarrhal appendicitis was seen in 438 cases (18.2%), suppurative appendicitis was seen in 300 cases (12.5%), gangrenous appendicitis was seen in 1082 cases (45.1%), and perforated appendicitis was seen in 544 cases (22.7%). No acute inflammation was seen in 36 (1.5%) appendectomy specimens [Graphic 1]. Distribution according to gender is shown in [Graphic 2]. The incidence of gangrenous appendicitis was statistically significantly higher than other types of acute appendicitis (P < 0.05).
Parasites were identified in 32 cases. The ratio of appendices to parasites in all appendectomy cases was 1.3%. Nine patients were males and 23 were females. Enterobius vermicularis was seen in 22 (0.9%) cases and Taenia species in 10 (0.4%) cases. The mean age of the patients with the parasite was 23.68 years. In cases involving Enterobius vermicularis, the mean age was 17.68, with a mean age of 14.57 for males and 19.13 for females. In cases with Taenia species, the mean age was 36.90 years, with a mean age of 39.02 years for males and 36.37 years for females. Patients with Enterobius vermicularis were younger than patients with Taenia species. Both Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia species were statistically significantly higher in females (P < 0.05).
There were 7 male and 15 female patients with Enterobius vermicularis. Therewere two male and 8 female patients with Taenia species [Graphic 3].
The distribution according to the histopathologic type of appendicitis of these 22 cases with Enterobius vermicularis was 6 in catarrhal appendicitis, 5 in suppurative appendicitis, 6 in gangrenous appendicitis, and 5 in perforated appendicitis. The distribution according to the histopathologic type of appendicitis of these 10 cases with Taenia species was 3, 3, 2, and 2, respectively. There was no statistical significance between the types of acute appendicitis with the presence or absence of parasitic infestation (P > 0.05).
| Discussion | | |
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common inflammatory diseases in the gastrointestinal tract.[1] Gender dominance varies in different studies.[7],[36]
In the study by Altun et al. conducted among 660 patients, the mean age was 19.6 years.[37] In the study by Yilmaz et al. among 1621 patients, the mean age was 36.7 years.[38] In this study, the mean age was 25.51 years (24.13 years for males and 27.64 years for females). Zakaria et al. found that the percentage of patients with suppurative, gangrenous, or perforated appendicitis was similar in both groups with no statistical significance, irrespective of the presence or absence of parasitic infestation.[7] Similarly, we found no statistical significance related to the presence or absence of parasitic infestation.
The ratio of negative appendectomy was 3% (14/480) and two times more common in females in the study by Jat et al.[3] In this study, this ratio was 1.5% (36/2400).
In other studies, the ratio of parasitic infections was 0.39%–5.5% of the total appendectomy specimens.[7],[8],[13],[19],[39],[40] We found 32 parasites in 2400 appendectomy cases. This ratio was 1.3%. The incidence of parasites in this study was similar to the range documented in previous studies.[13],[19]
The ratio of distribution by the type of parasites in appendectomy specimens is different in several studies. Da Silva et al. found 24 parasites (1.5%) in 1600 surgically removed appendices. Enterobius vermicularis was found in 23 of 24 (95.8%) appendectomy cases, and Taenia species was detected in only 1 (4.2%) case.[13] In the study by Zaghlool et al., the parasite was seen in 6 of 1536 patients. Enterobius vermicularis was present in four of the six patients with the parasite. The ratio of Enterobius vermicularis in patients with the parasite was 66%.[39] In this study, Enterobius vermicularis was present in 22 (68.75%) patients [Figure 1], and Taenia species was present in 10 (31.25%) [Figure 2] of 32 patients who underwent appendectomy involving the parasite. The incidence of parasites in patients in this study was similar to that in the research by Zaghlool et al.[39] | Figure 1: The adult form of Enterobius vermicularis including eggs in the lumen of the appendix. (H and E, ×100 )
Click here to view |
Enterobius vermicularis is the most common worm found in the appendix, particularly in children and adolescents.[41] Similarly, in this study, patients with Enterobius vermicularis were younger than patients with Taenia species. The mean age was 18.1 years in patients with Enterobius vermicularis (14 in males and 20 in females) and 38.2 years in patients with Taenia species (39 in males and 38 in females).
Interestingly, in one case, we found two Taenia species in the lumen of an appendix [Figure 3]. There was no such condition in the reported literature. There were many eggs in the lumen of the appendix and the inside of Taenia species [Figure 4]. | Figure 3: The coexistence of two Taenias in the lumen of the appendix vermiformis. (H and E, ×100)
Click here to view |
 | Figure 4: The eggs of Taenia in the lumen of the appendix. (H and E, ×400)
Click here to view |
The diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites can be made by stool examination and histopathological examination of the specimen from surgical materials. Timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy might prevent probable future complications that may necessitate surgical procedures, at least in some patients.[10],[25]
As a result, we can say that pathologists must be careful to distinguish parasites from other materials such as artefact and fecalith in the appendix lumen. Even though they are a rare cause of acute appendicitis, parasitic infestations must always be considered. Accurate identification of acute appendicitis and appropriate therapy will improve the patient's quality of life as much as preventing acute appendicitis from parasites.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
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