A rare case of gastric ascariasis

Authors

• Sharon Pan, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
• Kevin Yu, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
• Blaine A. Mathison, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
• Yan Gao, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
• Marc Roger Couturier, NorDx, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA.
• Salem Muayad, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2026

Journal Title

ASM case reports

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ascariasis, caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, is one of the most common helminthic infections globally. Spread by contaminated soil through the fecal-oral route, A. lumbricoides typically infects the small intestine and has rarely been reported to infect the stomach. CASE SUMMARY: We describe an unusual case of a male in his 30s with a history of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) who immigrated from Colombia and who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy for further evaluation of abdominal pain. He was incidentally found to have a female Ascaris worm in his stomach that was retrieved during the EGD. CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity, gastric ascariasis can cause various non-specific yet distressing gastrointestinal symptoms in patients, and therefore should be considered in those with risk factors for helminthic infections.

Recommended Citation

Pan, Sharon; Yu, Kevin; Mathison, Blaine A.; Gao, Yan; Couturier, Marc Roger; and Muayad, Salem, "A rare case of gastric ascariasis" (2026). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 4507.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/4507