# It’s Not Always Infections When It Comes to Resource-Poor Countries: A Fascinating Case Report

## TL;DR

A patient from a resource-poor country with GI symptoms was initially thought to have infections, but further testing revealed an underlying autoimmune condition.

## Contribution

Highlights the importance of considering non-infectious conditions in patients from resource-poor countries with GI symptoms.

## Key findings

- Initial symptoms were attributed to GI infections due to the patient's background.
- Further investigation revealed primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis.
- The case emphasizes the need for thorough diagnostic workups beyond infections.

## Abstract

A patient’s demographics often guide healthcare providers toward clues to a diagnosis. A recent travel history becomes an essential piece of the puzzle when there is a high suspicion of an infectious cause. When a patient walks into the hospital after having traveled to or from a resource-poor country with systemic afflictions, a physician’s mind quickly jumps to infectious causes, and in most circumstances, it proves to be correct. We report an interesting case of a 28-year-old male from Guatemala who experienced acute gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Previous research in this field has shown that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are prone to a slew of GI infections. Interestingly, our patient's presenting symptoms were initially attributed to "infections," but a thorough investigation revealed an unexpected twist of events. Our patient presented with multiple GI infections after the usual triggers, which masqueraded the coexistence of underlying primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis for a short course but were diagnosed promptly after a thorough workup.