Work

Intestinal Spirochetes Associated With Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: A 60-year-old, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative, homosexual male presented to our colorectal clinic with abdominal pain for three weeks followed by persistent watery diarrhea refractory to loperamide. He had no history of recent travel, no known infectious contacts, and his last colonoscopy nine years prior was within normal limits. After one episode of hematochezia, computed tomography of the abdomen/pelvis was performed demonstrating colitis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related changes to the lung bases. Testing confirmed COVID-19 infection which was self-limited. The initial workup for infectious colitis was negative. Colonoscopy revealed no evidence of gross colitis. Histopathology demonstrated microscopic colitis with spirochete colonization of the intestinal epithelium. A course of metronidazole led to the resolution of the patient’s symptoms.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27246

Authors: Olivier Van Houtte, Gabrielle Perrotti, Lindsey Gade, Amanda S Ayers, Robert Lewis

Institutions: Cheshire Medical Center, Abington Memorial Hospital, Trinity Health, Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Microscopic Colitis

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4287577994