Open AccessHuman syngamosis: an unusual cause of chronic cough in travellers
Author(s) -
Andrea Angheben,
Maria Gobbo,
Federico Gobbi,
Andrea Bravin,
Fabio Toneatti,
F Crismancich,
Andrea Rossanese,
Zeno Bisoffi
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.12.2008.1305
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic cough , dry cough , bronchoscopy , bronchiectasis , asthma , reflux , chronic bronchitis , productive cough , surgery , bronchitis , disease , dermatology , lung
We describe a case of syngamosis in a 43-year-old Italian tourist presenting with chronic cough and episodes of haemoptysis upon return from the Caribbean. The patient underwent many diagnostic procedures and was repeatedly, yet unsuccessfully, treated (for asthma, bronchitis and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) before the correct diagnosis was reached. During a fibre optic bronchoscopy a Y-shaped red object was extracted from the airways and identified as a pair of Mammomonogamus laryngeus. After this procedure the patient improved, although a dry cough persisted and two other minor episodes of haemoptysis occurred. The patient was treated with anti-helmintic drugs and recovered after 3 months.