Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: A 54-year-old female patient with a history of depressive disorder, previously treated and not currently on regular medication, lives in a rural area and regularly consumes untreated well water. She presented with a one-month history of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and tenesmus. Laboratory tests only revealed numerous Endolimax nana cysts in her stool, and endoscopic evaluation did not show significant findings. The patient's complete resolution of symptoms was achieved through the combined effect of metronidazole treatment and discontinuation of untreated well water consumption. Endolimax nana is a generally non-pathogenic intestinal ameba, often found in untreated or contaminated water sources. However, it can be linked to gastrointestinal issues. Avoiding contaminated water is crucial for managing and preventing such infections. In cases of chronic diarrhea in people exposed to untreated water, doctors should consider parasitic infections in their differential diagnosis and start appropriate antimicrobial treatment based on the identified pathogen. The following case report delineates the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies employed in a patient diagnosed with Endolimax nana infection.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94840
Authors: Mariana Castro, Joana Brandão Silva, Raquel Freitas, Ricardo Barbosa, João Beleza Bernardes
Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Albel Salazar
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415323532