Diagnosis of Human Visceral Pentastomiasis
2009
Diagnosis of Human Visceral Pentastomiasis
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Dennis Tappe, Dietrich W. Büttner
Primary Institution: Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Germany
Conclusion
Visceral pentastomiasis is often misdiagnosed as malignancy due to its variable clinical symptoms and the rarity of serological tests.
Supporting Evidence
- Most human infections are asymptomatic and may be found incidentally during medical consultations or autopsies.
- The disease is rare in Europe and North America, primarily affecting immigrants from endemic regions.
- Diagnosis is mainly based on histopathological examination due to the absence of reliable serological tests.
Takeaway
Visceral pentastomiasis is a disease caused by parasites that can make people very sick, but many people don't show any symptoms at all.
Methodology
The diagnosis often relies on histopathological examinations due to the lack of available serological tests.
Limitations
The study is limited by the rarity of the disease in non-endemic areas, making it difficult to gather large sample sizes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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