Ileal Ascariasis Detected by Magnified Terminal Ileoscopy

Figure 1 A 45-year-old Peruvian nun was referred to us for investigation of severe weight loss (more than 9 kg in 1 week) and asthenia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and total colonoscopy were negative, but terminal ileoscopy revealed an isolated finding of an enlarged submucosal follicle.

Figure 2 A biopsy was performed and suddenly two white worms became apparent.The view of the terminal ileum obtained using the Fujinon EC-410 CM magnifying colonoscope (Fujinon Co., Omiya, Japan) made it possible to biopsy one of the worms, and histological investigation revealed ileal ascariasis. The patient underwent substantial antibiotic therapy with a complete remission of weight loss and anemia within one week.