DOI: 10.12890/2026_007276
Ascaris lumbricoides through an intercostal chest tube in a case with Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report
Authors
drayseoz20@gmail.com
Keywords
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Ascaris lumbricoides, albendazole, antihelminthicAbstract
Introduction: Ascaris lumbricoides typically mimics pneumonia during its larval migration phase. However, its presentation with pleural effusion and the recovery of a live adult worm through an intercostal chest tube is extraordinarily rare. This case highlights a unique opportunistic parasitic infection in an immunocompromised paediatric patient, emphasising the need to consider parasitic aetiologies in refractory pulmonary symptoms within oncology settings.
Case description: A 15-year-old female with stage IIIA Hodgkin’s lymphoma presented with fever, cough and respiratory distress five days after completing her second cycle of COPDAC chemotherapy. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics and bilateral chest tube insertion for persistent pleural effusion, her clinical condition remained refractory. A live, 15-cm adult A. lumbricoides was unexpectedly recovered from the right chest tube. Following a 21-day course of albendazole, the patient showed complete clinical and radiological resolution.
Conclusion: In paediatric oncology patients, standard treatments for pneumonia may fail when atypical pathogens are involved. This case underscores that clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for helminthic infections in immunocompromised hosts presenting with atypical or refractory pleural and pulmonary findings.
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