Cureus
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Parasitic infection can closely mimic Crohn’s disease with ileitis and partial small-bowel obstruction; recognizing exposure history and eosinophilia may prevent misdiagnosis and lead to curative treatment.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adults with unexplained small-bowel inflammation and eosinophilia, clinicians evaluating suspected Crohn’s disease or obstruction.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This Cureus case report describes a 27-year-old man with nine months of intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, bloating and imaging evidence of distal ileal wall thickening and upstream dilatation.
Peripheral eosinophilia prompted further evaluation; colonoscopy found and retrieved a live helminth from the terminal ileum, histologically consistent with Ascaris lumbricoides. A single 400 mg dose of albendazole led to rapid and sustained symptom resolution.
The report highlights that parasitic infection can mimic Crohn’s-like ileitis and partial small-bowel obstruction, that stool ova-and-parasite tests may be negative even after endoscopic retrieval, and that exposure history (wild game/field dressing in this case) can be a key diagnostic clue.
If you or a clinician suspects parasitic infection with small-bowel inflammation, consider peripheral eosinophilia and exposure risks as triggers for endoscopic evaluation; targeted anti-parasitic treatment can be curative.
Keep In Mind
Summary is based on the article abstract (case report) and does not represent systematic evidence; stool ova-and-parasite testing may be negative even when parasites are present.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationCureus
AuthorsYouno L, Nguyen C, Hamad S +2 more
Study typeJournal article, case reports
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJun 17, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Similarities and differences between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Patients with IBD or new symptoms should understand that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can look very similar but affect different parts of the gut and may require different treatments. Accurate diagnosis matters...
Severe Pancolitis Presenting with Sacroiliitis: A Case Highlighting the Gut-Joint Axis in Ulcerative Colitis
This case shows that ulcerative colitis can first appear with inflammatory back pain (sacroiliitis) rather than bowel symptoms; recognizing this link can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment that may help both gut and...
NHS warns symptom which shows on leg could be common disease
Skin patches and other non‑digestive symptoms can be part of Crohn's disease and may prompt further evaluation. Knowing these signs could help people seek earlier assessment from a GP.