Genetic confirmation ends a diagnostic odyssey in rare Bertiella studeri infection

Abstract

In this study, we identified a case of Bertiella studeri infection in a child using etiological and molecular biological methods, which provided clear guidance for subsequent diagnostic work. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COX1) was amplified and the sequence is closely related to Bertiella studeri (OP474069.1) The patient had been treated with Praziquantel 1 pill for one time and took it continuously for 6 days as a course of treatment. After six months, the patient did not find any more proglottids in the feces and returned to normal.

The patient was a 2 years and 7 months boy, who lived in Fuxi county, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, China. The patient had a history of contact with livestock, and taking cauliflower snake meat and white worm on trees at 2021. The main symptoms of the patient were abdominal pains, perianal itching. Streaky worms were found in stool for two months.

The patient came to National Children's Medical Center Children's Hospital of Fudan University for doctors' advice. The results of blood count showed that the Leukocyte count was 13.44 × 10⁹/L and Eosinophil count was 370/μl, which were both significantly higher than normal value. There were no differences between values of the red blood cell count and hemoglobin content which means the patient had no obvious symptoms of anemia.