Capillaria phillipinensis Infection, Summary from 12 Previously Noted Thai Cases

CONTEXT: Capillaria phillipinensis infection is a round worm infection. Capillaria phillipinensis is considered a zoonotic disease of migratory fish-eating birds.

OBJECTIVE: Here, the author performed a literature review on the reports of C. philippinensis in Thailand in order to summarize the characteristics of this infection among the Thai patients.

DESIGN: This study was designed as a descriptive retrospective study. A literature review of the papers concerning C. philippinensis infections in Thailand was performed.

RESULTS: Due to this study, there have been at least 8 reports of C. philippinensis infection, of which 1 case was lethal (Table 1). There are at least 12 Thai cases with C. philippinensis infections. The age ranges from 13 to 58 years. Of seven well-documented cases, 5 were males and 2 were females. Most (10/12) cases were detected from stool examination: One was detected by Gastroduodenoscopy: The other case (1/12) was detected after the patient died.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, C. philippinensis infection is sporadically noted in Thailand. The diagnosis is usually by stool examination. The survival rate of these infections is high if the diagnosis is correct and is quite low if the diagnosis is too late. The treatment of this infection is an antiparasitic drug such as mebendazole and albendazole.

Keywords: Thai, Capillaria philippinensis infection.