Colonic anastomosis leakage related to taenia saginata infestation

Helminth and protozoa infections remain an important public health problem in tropical and underdeveloped countries. The adult stage of Taenia saginata is one of the most common pathogenic cestode in humans. This tapeworm is transmitted by raw beef consumption. Infected individuals may remain asymptomatic for years, and the only symptom may be the spontaneous passage of proglottids. However, nonspecific symptoms, such as vague abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss, can be present. Although the tapeworm seems to be a benign parasitic disease, it can lead to serious surgical gastrointestinal system (GIS) complications that are seldom reported in the medical literature. However, according to our intensive literature search we believe that this report is the first case of colonic anastomotic leakage related to T. saginata infestation following a right hemicolectomy procedure.