# Taenia saginata infection: A rare case of jejunal perforations from Ethiopia: A case report

## TL;DR

A rare case of Taenia saginata infection causing jejunal perforation in Ethiopia highlights the need for clinical suspicion in endemic regions.

## Contribution

This case report presents a rare instance of taeniasis-induced bowel perforation with postoperative fatality in Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- Taenia saginata infection can cause intestinal perforation requiring surgical intervention.
- This case may be the only reported taeniasis-related bowel perforation with postoperative fatality.
- Clinical suspicion of taeniasis should be considered in regions with high raw beef consumption.

## Abstract

T. saginata, a global parasite, is still a considerable burden in low-income countries. It is transmitted to humans through the consumption of undercooked/raw beef. Although taeniasis can cause an acute abdomen, taeniasis-induced bowel perforation is rarely encountered, and only a few cases have been reported.

This work has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria.

A 44-year-old male experienced abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, and fever over 24 h. He had a 5-month history of mild gastrointestinal symptoms. His clinical picture and imaging findings suspected a viscus perforation. An exploratory laparotomy revealed jejunal perforations with an adult Taenia tapeworm. Postoperatively, significant events occurred.

T. saginata is a common infection in regions with high undercooked/raw beef consumption. In Ethiopia, raw beef consumption is common and is the most likely source of infection in this case. T. saginata infection can cause acute abdomen with intestinal obstruction, but rarely does it induce intestinal perforations. Only a few taeniasis-related bowel perforations necessitating surgical intervention have been reported from Lebanon, Nepal, and northern Iran. This patient may be the only reported case of teniasis-related bowel perforations complication with postoperative fatality, with other cases having uneventful postoperative periods. The cause of taeniasis-related intestinal perforation remains unclear. Bedside qSOFA scoring system can predict death risk in sepsis patients. In septic shock, rapid resuscitation is crucial.

The case report emphasizes the importance of Taenia saginata as a differential diagnosis for intestinal perforation, particularly in endemic regions, and suggests clinical suspicion of taeniasis as a possible cause. Rapid resuscitation and source control are crucial for sepsis patients. The qSOFA scoring system can predict death risk, with a 3 score indicating higher mortality.

•T. saginata, a global parasite, is prevalent in low-income countries.•It is rare for taeniasis to cause bowel perforation requiring surgical intervention.•The most common reported surgical complication of taeniasis is mechanical bowel obstruction.•In endemic areas, taeniasis-related acute surgical abdomen may be a probable etiology.•Clinical suspicion of taenia-related acute abdomen should be considered in endemic areas.

T. saginata, a global parasite, is prevalent in low-income countries.

It is rare for taeniasis to cause bowel perforation requiring surgical intervention.

The most common reported surgical complication of taeniasis is mechanical bowel obstruction.

In endemic areas, taeniasis-related acute surgical abdomen may be a probable etiology.

Clinical suspicion of taenia-related acute abdomen should be considered in endemic areas.