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http://dx.doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2019.22.2.193

Intestinal Spirochetosis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature  

Lemmens, Roel (Kidz Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Devreker, Thierry (Kidz Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Hauser, Bruno (Kidz Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Degreef, Elisabeth (Kidz Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Goossens, Annieta (Department of Pathology, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Vandenplas, Yvan (Kidz Health Castle, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Publication Information
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition / v.22, no.2, 2019 , pp. 193-200 More about this Journal
Abstract
A clinical suspicion of intestinal spirochetosis is required when patients have long lasting complaints of abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and nausea. An endoscopy with biopsies needs to be performed to confirm the diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis. The diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis is based on histological appearance. Intestinal spirochetosis can also be associated with other intestinal infections and juvenile polyps (JPs). JPs seem to be more frequent in patients with intestinal spirochetosis than in patients without intestinal spirochetosis. Intestinal spirochetosis in children should be treated with antibiotics. Metronidazole is the preferred option. In this article, we describe 4 cases of intestinal spirochetosis in a pediatric population and provide a review of the literature over the last 20 years. Intestinal spirochetosis is a rare infection that can cause a variety of severe symptom. It is diagnosed based on histological appearance.
Keywords
Spirochete infections; Endoscopy; Co-infection; Polyps; Antibiotics;
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