Parasitic Appendicitis in 14.797 Cases: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of Enterobius vermicularis in appendectomy specimens and evaluate the histopathological characteristics of adult and pediatric cases with E. vermicularis infection. Methods: Appendectomies examined from 1 January 2010, to 1 December 2020, were analysed retrospectively. Cases were divided into two groups under 18 years (children) and 18 and over (adults). Demographic and histopathological characteristics of patients were also examined. Results: Out of 14.797 patients that underwent appendectomy, 6.130 were children and 8.667 were adults. E. vermicularis was detected in 268 patients, wherein 64.2% were children and 35.8% were adults. In the detection of E. vermicularis in appendectomy specimens, the frequency was higher in children compared to that in adults (2.85%, 1.1%, respectively) (p<0.001). Histopathologically, acute appendicitis was defined in 31.7% (n=85) of 268 cases, and E. vermicularis was found to cause a higher rate of acute appendicitis in adults (p<0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of E. vermicularis in appendectomy specimens is higher in children. However, E. vermicularis causes acute appendicitis more frequently in adults.