Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case
Introduction: Severe hypocalcemia can affect multiple systems, causing a wide variety of symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to twitching. In severe cases, it can lead to heart rhythm disturbances and seizures. A rare cause of hypocalcemia is due to malabsorption associated with prolonged gastroen...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000125 |
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| author | Ali Ajmal Camelia Chirculescu Tariq Alyamani Gregory J. Hiett Dhan Bahadur Shrestha |
| author_facet | Ali Ajmal Camelia Chirculescu Tariq Alyamani Gregory J. Hiett Dhan Bahadur Shrestha |
| author_sort | Ali Ajmal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Severe hypocalcemia can affect multiple systems, causing a wide variety of symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to twitching. In severe cases, it can lead to heart rhythm disturbances and seizures. A rare cause of hypocalcemia is due to malabsorption associated with prolonged gastroenteritis. Case presentation: We present a 35-year-old female with persistent watery diarrhea of eight weeks presented with neuromuscular symptoms. Trousseau sign and Chvostek sign were positive bilaterally. Laboratory test results revealed severe hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and anemia, with prolonged QT interval in electrocardiogram (EKG). Her stool polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed Cyclospora cayetanensis. Her electrolytes were appropriately replaced during her hospital stay. The patient was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, calcium, and oral iron supplementation. Conclusion: This case demonstrates a unique presentation of a healthy young female with symptomatic hypocalcemia resulting from malabsorption due to Cycolospora cayetanensis. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis using newer techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for parasite DNA, which can result in appropriate diagnosis and timely treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c43f0b876ff14d5f80166a97cd155579 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2214-2509 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | IDCases |
| spelling | doaj-art-c43f0b876ff14d5f80166a97cd1555792025-08-20T02:57:32ZengElsevierIDCases2214-25092025-01-0139e0215710.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02157Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare caseAli Ajmal0Camelia Chirculescu1Tariq Alyamani2Gregory J. Hiett3Dhan Bahadur Shrestha4Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine-Marshall Univeersity, Huntington, West Virginia 25701, USA; Corresponding author.Department of Internal Medicine, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, VA 24211-7664, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, VA 24211-7664, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, VA 24211-7664, USADivision of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, NY 13326, USAIntroduction: Severe hypocalcemia can affect multiple systems, causing a wide variety of symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to twitching. In severe cases, it can lead to heart rhythm disturbances and seizures. A rare cause of hypocalcemia is due to malabsorption associated with prolonged gastroenteritis. Case presentation: We present a 35-year-old female with persistent watery diarrhea of eight weeks presented with neuromuscular symptoms. Trousseau sign and Chvostek sign were positive bilaterally. Laboratory test results revealed severe hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and anemia, with prolonged QT interval in electrocardiogram (EKG). Her stool polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed Cyclospora cayetanensis. Her electrolytes were appropriately replaced during her hospital stay. The patient was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, calcium, and oral iron supplementation. Conclusion: This case demonstrates a unique presentation of a healthy young female with symptomatic hypocalcemia resulting from malabsorption due to Cycolospora cayetanensis. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis using newer techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for parasite DNA, which can result in appropriate diagnosis and timely treatment.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000125HypocalcemiaTrousseau signChvostek signCyclospora cayetanensis |
| spellingShingle | Ali Ajmal Camelia Chirculescu Tariq Alyamani Gregory J. Hiett Dhan Bahadur Shrestha Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case IDCases Hypocalcemia Trousseau sign Chvostek sign Cyclospora cayetanensis |
| title | Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case |
| title_full | Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case |
| title_fullStr | Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case |
| title_full_unstemmed | Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case |
| title_short | Severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to Cyclospora cayetanensis infestation: A rare case |
| title_sort | severe symptomatic hypocalcemia due to cyclospora cayetanensis infestation a rare case |
| topic | Hypocalcemia Trousseau sign Chvostek sign Cyclospora cayetanensis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925000125 |
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