Visceral pentastomiasis presenting as acute intestinal obstruction in a 9-year-old girl: case report and review of the literature

Introduction: Visceral pentastomiasis is a poorly understood pathology. The clinical signs are nonspecific and are the result of massive infestation. Here, we report a case of visceral pentastomiasis revealed by acute intestinal obstruction. Case presentation: Visceral pentastomiasis is an uncommon parasitic infection that remains poorly characterized in clinical practice. The symptoms are usually nonspecific and tend to appear only in cases of significant parasite burden. We report a case of visceral pentastomiasis revealed by acute intestinal obstruction in a pediatric patient. Discussion: Human pentastomiasis was first described by Prunner in Cairo in 1847. Despite this early recognition, the disease remains uncommon, and our case appears to be the first reported in our institution in approximately 20 years. Diagnosis is essentially based on the morphological identification of the larvae or adult forms. In cases of acute abdomen, exploratory laparotomy may be required, providing both therapeutic benefit through removal of the parasites and definitive diagnostic confirmation. To date, surgical removal remains the mainstay of treatment, as no standardized pharmacological therapy has demonstrated consistent efficacy. Conclusion: Pentastomiasis is an uncommon parasitic infestation that can affect the peritoneum and mimic other causes of acute abdomen. This case highlights the importance of awareness regarding exposure risks, particularly the consumption of snake meat or contaminated foods. Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of treatment, as it permits both diagnosis and effective removal of the parasites.