Video:Intestinal capillariasis
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Description
Intestinal capillariasis or Capillaria philippinensis infection[1]is a disease in the group of helminthiasis diseases caused by the nematode Capillaria philippinensis.Humans acquire the infection by consuming raw/undercooked freshwater fish containing the parasite.[2]Medications like albendazole or mebendazole are used to treat the infection.[3] Intestinal capillariasis is prevalent in the Philippines and Thailand, but cases have been reported in other parts of Asia.[4]
Presentation
Symptoms in infected humans include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, edema, weight loss, borborygmus , and depressed levels of potassium and albumin in the blood. In humans, the parasites damage the cells of the intestinal wall; this damage interferes with the absorption of nutrients and the maintenance of a proper electrolyte balance.[5][2][6]
Complications
As to the possible complications an affected individual may experience we find:[4][2] Protein-losing enteropathy, hypoalbuminemia and anemia.
Cause
Capillaria philippinensis is a tiny nematode(roundworm) parasite range from 2 (point) 3 to 3 (point) 2 millimeters in length. They possess ventrolateral caudal expansions at the tail end and a long, smooth spicular sheath enclosing the spicule.[2]
Diagnosis
As to the evaluation of intestinal capillariasis it is diagnosed by identifying the parasite Capillaria philippinensis, this is done via the following:[2][7]clinical symptoms, biopsy and stool exam.
Differential diagnosis
Conditions that may appear similar include:[4][2][8] Giardiasis, Tropical sprue and Strongyloidiasis.
Treatment
As to management we find that anthelmintics such as mebendazole and albendazole eliminate infestation more effectively than thiabendazole.[9]These medications need special care for pregnant women and young children. The World Health Organization allows their use in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks.[10]
Prognosis
In terms of the prognosis we find that recovery takes two months;assuming diagnosis and treatment were both prompt to begin with.[4]
Epidemiology
The disease was first identified in Philippines in the 1960s, where it caused a outbreak. The infection is considered endemic in the Philippines and Thailand.It has also been reported in several countries across Asia and the Middle East, including:[2][11][12] Thailand, Iran, Japan, Egypt, Indonesia, Korea, India and Taiwan.
History
As to Intestinal capillariasis it was first identified in 1963 in the Philippines, where it caused a outbreak in Northern Luzon. The causative agent, Capillaria philippinensis, was officially described and named in 1968 by Velasquez, Chitwood, and Salazar.[4][13]This discovery followed a wave of illness that affected over 1 thousand people and more than 100 deaths between 1967 and 1969.[13][4]
Research
A 2025 article by Sadaow et al, indicates that a new rapid diagnostic test was developed to detect antibodies in simulated whole-blood samples. This test aims to improve early detection of intestinal capillariasis, especially in endemic areas where access to advanced diagnostics is limited.[14]
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References
- ↑ "Capillaria philippinensis infection (Concept Id: C0006899) - MedGen - NCBI". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 14 April 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "CDC - DPDx - Intestinal Capillariasis". www.cdc.gov. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ↑ Lindquist, H. D. Alan; Cross, John H. (1 January 2017). "195 - Helminths". Infectious Diseases (Fourth ed.). Elsevier. pp. 1763–1779.e1. ISBN 978-0-7020-6285-8.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Limsrivilai, Julajak; Pongprasobchai, Supot; Apisarnthanarak, Piyaporn; Manatsathit, Sathaporn (10 December 2014). "Intestinal capillariasis in the 21st century: clinical presentations and role of endoscopy and imaging". BMC gastroenterology. 14: 207. doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0207-9. ISSN 1471-230X.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ↑ Mathison, Blaine A.; Pritt, Bobbi S. (2022). "Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract". Encyclopedia of Infection and Immunity. Elsevier. pp. 136–203. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-818731-9.00107-5. ISBN 978-0-323-90303-5.
- ↑ "About Capillariasis". Capillariasis. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ↑ "Capillariasis | EBSCO Research Starters". www.ebsco.com. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ↑ Palmer, Philip E. S.; Reeder, Maurice M. (8 November 2000). The Imaging of Tropical Diseases: With Epidemiological, Pathological and Clinical Correlation. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 98. ISBN 978-3-540-62471-4.
- ↑ Hwang, K.P., T.E. Wang, T.C. Liou, S.C. Lin, C.R. Kao, T.Y. Wang and K.K. Pang (2004) "Clinical features of human intestinal capillariasis in Taiwan Archived 2009-02-06 at the Wayback Machine." World Journal of Gastroenterology 10(16):2391-2393.
- ↑ "Clinical Care of Capillariasis". Parasites - Capillariasis. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ↑ Wertheim, Heiman F. L.; Horby, Peter; Woodall, John P. (4 January 2012). Atlas of Human Infectious Diseases. John Wiley & Sons. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-4443-5467-6. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ↑ Saichua, Prasert; Nithikathkul, Choosak; Kaewpitoon, Natthawut (28 January 2008). "Human intestinal capillariasis in Thailand". World Journal of Gastroenterology. 14 (4): 506–510. doi:10.3748/wjg.14.506. ISSN 1007-9327. PMC 2681139. PMID 18203280.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Belizario, Vicente Y.; G Totañes, Francis Isidore; de Leon, Winifreda U.; Migriño, Julius R.; Macasaet, Lino Y. (April 2010). "Intestinal capillariasis, western Mindanao, the Philippines". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 16 (4): 736–738. doi:10.3201/eid1604.080483. ISSN 1080-6059. PMC 3321930. PMID 20350410.
- ↑ Sadaow, Lakkhana; Boonroumkaew, Patcharaporn; Rodpai, Rutchanee; Sanpool, Oranuch; Intapan, Pewpan M.; Maleewong, Wanchai (3 September 2025). "Development of an Immunochromatographic Test to Detect Antibodies in Simulated Whole-Blood Samples for the Diagnosis of Intestinal Capillariasis". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 113 (3): 640–644. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.25-0212. Retrieved 19 October 2025.