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Clinical and Molecular Allergy
Published in: Clinical and Molecular Allergy 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Case report

A case of atopic dermatitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides infection

Authors: Rosanna Qualizza, Laura M Losappio, Fabiana Furci

Published in: Clinical and Molecular Allergy | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Parasite infections stimulate total and specific IgE production that, in the case of Toxocara canis infection, corresponds to chronic allergic symptoms. There may also be other infections which have similar symptoms, such as Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Ascaris lumbricoides is a large nematode that causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, anorexia and intermittent diarrhoea. Patients with ascaridiasis and high IgE levels may also have allergy-like symptoms such as asthma, urticaria and atopic dermatitis.

Case presentation

We report a case of atopic dermatitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides which shows the important role of parasitic infection in patients with long-lasting dermatitis. The patient was a 12-year old female suffering since early infancy from atopic dermatitis and asthma. She was treated for dermatitis with oral bethametasone and topical pimecrolimus with little benefit. After two cycles of mebendazole therapy, the patient showed progressive improvement of symptoms.

Conclusions

In patients with dermatitis, Ascaris lumbricoides infection should be not excluded: adequate anthelmintic treatment may result in complete regression from the disease.
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Metadata
Title
A case of atopic dermatitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides infection
Authors
Rosanna Qualizza
Laura M Losappio
Fabiana Furci
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical and Molecular Allergy / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1476-7961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12948-018-0088-5

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