Detection of Infectious Agents and Histopathological Changes Associated with Appendicitis

Abstract

This descriptive hospital base study was conducted in Khartoum North, Khartoum and Omdurman Teaching Hospitals and Omdurman Military Hospital during the period from March to July 2011.The study aimed to detect the infectious agents and histopathological changes associated with appendicitis. 74 samples were randomly collected after appendectomy from patients presenting with signs and symptoms of appendicitis their ages ranged from 1-47 years. Sections were prepared and stained using four different methods: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for general morphology, Gram stain for demonstration of bacteria, Macchiavello’s stain for demonstration of viral inclusions, and periodic acid- shiff’s for demonstration of fungi, Data was analyzed using SPSS computer program. Histopathologically, 48(64.8%) of the cases were diagnosed as acute appendicitis, 9(12.1%) as chronic appendicitis while 17(22.9%) of cases shows no detectable pathology. Intranuclear inclusions (suggesting viral infection) were seen in 17 (23%) of cases; 10 (13.5%) of cases shows presence of bacteria, only one case (1.3%) parasites (Ascaris Lumbericoides) was seen, and no fungal infection were notised. The study concluded that bacterial and viral infections may be associated with appendicitis particularly the acute form. 11-20 years was the most frequent age group.The study found no association between chili & lemon consumption and family history and appendicitis. Finally we recommended conducting new studies comprising larger sample size and using more specific and sensitive techniques to identify infectious agents associated with appendicitis, and to search the association between those infectious agents and appendicitis.