Intestinal capillariass in Egypt epideiologigal background.

Intestinal capillariasis has been reported in Egypt in 1989. Since that time, 44 cases have been diagnosed. Most of the detected cases were females (37), while males were only 7. Their ages ranged from 10 to 65 years, however most of them were between 20 to 40 years. Twenty-six cases were from the northern part of Upper Egypt, particularly Bani-Suif and El-Menia Governorates. Patients presented with borborygmi, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, loss of weight, lower limb edema and electrolyte imbalance for durations ranging from one month to two years. Morbidity and mortality of the disease in Egyptian cases are described. Some patients gave history of eating raw whole fish, while others gave history of eating raw parts of fish or half-cooked fish. Diagnosis was based on the clinical picture, and confirmed stool analysis. Differential diagnosis was discussed and the cost paid by patients to reach the correct diagnosis was estimated. Suggestions about the way with which the parasite was introduced and maintained in Egypt were mentioned.