Schistosomiasis of the Appendix in a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria: A 22-Year Review

• Main Authors: Saad A Ahmed, Umar Mohammed, Robert B Sanda, Jerry Makama, Mohammed S Shehu, Emmanuel A Ameh, Ahmed A Mayun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2014-01-01
• Series: Journal of Laboratory Physicians
• Subjects: appendicitis; nigeria; schistosomiasis
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0974-2727.129085

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases caused by a trematode, Schistosoma spp, and affects many systems in the body including the gastrointestinal tract. Schistosomiasis of the appendix is a well-recognized disease and presents as a chronic granulomatous inflammation. This study aims to document the frequency and pattern of distribution of schistosomal appendicitis in our environment. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective histopathological review of schistosomiasis of the appendix in the Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria - Nigeria, between January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2012. Results: Within the study period, there were 1,464 appendectomy specimens histologically examined in the Pathology Laboratory. Thirty of these, representing 2.1%, were diagnosed as schistosomiasis of the appendix. The male:female ratio was 6.5:1 and peak age incidence was in the 20-29 years age group. Abdominal pains, vomiting and fever were seen in 23 (76.7%) and altered bowel motion in seven (23.3%) patients. Conclusion: This study showed that schistosomiasis of the appendix is not rare and that its presentation is similar to other forms of appendicitis. There is a need to focus on the prevention of schistosomiasis in order to reduce morbidity among these economically viable age groups.