Abstract

QUINTELA, C.; MARQUES, N.; BETTENCOURT, M.J.  and  QUINTINO, A.. Pancitopénia como forma de apresentação de sprue tropical. J Port Gastrenterol. [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.3, pp.125-128. ISSN 0872-8178.

Tropical sprue is characterrized by diarrhea, weight loss and malabsortion. The authors describe a case of a 57-years old black woman resident in Guinea-Bissau admittede to the hospital due to pancytopenia. She had a history of malaria, syphilis and recurrent parasitic infections with Entamoeba histolytica. Physical examination showed pale mucosa and glossitis. Laboratory revealed: pancytopenia, low folic acid and vitamin B12. In the stools cysts of Entamoeba histolytica were isolated. Upper endoscopy showed diffuse erosive gastritis. Histologic examination of biopsies taken in the stomach showed villous atrophy and inflammatory infiltration with lymphocytes both intraepithelial and in the corion, compatible with tropical sprue. After treatment with metronidazol, folic acid and vitamin B12 there was clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and histological improvement.

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