Publicado

2017-07-01

Delusional infestation. Ekbom´s syndrome in a 47-year-old woman. Case report

Infestación delirante. Síndrome de Ekbom en una mujer de 47 años. Reporte de un caso

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15446/cr.v3n2.62754

Palabras clave:

Case Report, Delusional parasitosis, Ekbom delusory parasitosis, Delusory parasitosis. (en)
Reporte de caso, Delirio de parasitosis, Delirio de parasitosis de Ekbom. (es)

Autores/as

  • Mario Javier Olivera Instituto Nacional de Salud, Departamento de Parasitología
  • Julián Felipe Porras Villamil Universidad Nacional de Colombia
  • Gabriela Andrea López Moreno Universidad Nacional de Colombia
  • Christian Camilo Toquica Gahona Universidad Nacional de Colombia
  • Hugo Paez Ardila Universidad del Rosario, Infectología
  • Eliana Maldonado Lara Universidad del Rosario, Infectología

Introduction: Delusional infestation is a rare psychiatric disorder defined as a condition in which the patient has the unshakable belief and perception of being infested with parasites. Its treatment is difficult, and frequently includes antipsychotic medications (such as olanzapine or aripiprazole). Non-pharmacological treatment, particularly psychotherapy, can be used for less severe cases. Dermatologists and psychiatrists must take a multi-disciplinary approach (preferably in a psycodermatology dedicated clinic) since this type of patients sometimes refuse treatment.

Case description: A 53-year-old female businesswoman describes a clinical history of five years of visual hallucinations, depressive symptoms, and generalized pruritus, along with the use of toxic substances to “clean” her skin and cloths. She reports similar symptoms in some relatives but they were not evaluated. Blood tests and analyses of the “specimen” brought by the patient were performed, yielding negative results. The patient had never been assessed by any specialist, and showed disoriented during the consultation. Follow-up was not possible due to the reluctance of the patient to follow the indications and seek psychiatric treatment. Moreover, the patient did not respond to further communication attempts.

Discussion: Delusional infestation is an uncommon disease that endangers the patients and the people around them. Its treatment is difficult and long, and not conducting proper follow-up is a great risk. Its prevalence and incidence is variable and generally unknown. It can affect the patient, their next of kin, pets or the environment, and the “pathogen” can be a living organism or an inanimate object.  

Conclusion: This case is important as it shows the hardships of treatment, adequate follow-up and care, as well as the need to improve how these patients are approached. Additionally, both classical and uncommon signs and symptoms could be observed as the patient stated that her relatives were affected (possible delusional infestation by proxy).

ntroducción: la infestación delirante es un trastorno psiquiátrico raro que se define como una afección en la que el paciente tiene una creencia y una percepción inquebrantables de estar infestado de parásitos. Su tratamiento es difícil y con frecuencia incluye medicamentos antipsicóticos (como olanzapina o aripiprazol). El tratamiento no farmacológico, particularmente la psicoterapia, se puede usar para casos menos severos. Los dermatólogos y psiquiatras deben adoptar un enfoque multidisciplinario (preferiblemente en una clínica especializada en psicodermatología) ya que este tipo de pacientes a veces rechazan el tratamiento.

Descripción del caso: Una mujer de negocios de 53 años describe una historia clínica de cinco años de alucinaciones visuales, síntomas depresivos y prurito generalizado, junto con el uso de sustancias tóxicas para "limpiar" su piel y paños. Ella informa síntomas similares en algunos parientes, pero no fueron evaluados. Se realizaron análisis de sangre y análisis de la "muestra" presentada por el paciente, obteniéndose resultados negativos. El paciente nunca había sido evaluado por ningún especialista, y se mostró desorientado durante la consulta. El seguimiento no fue posible debido a la reticencia del paciente a seguir las indicaciones y buscar tratamiento psiquiátrico. Además, el paciente no respondió a nuevos intentos de comunicación.

Discusión: la infestación delirante es una enfermedad poco común que pone en peligro a los pacientes y las personas que los rodean. Su tratamiento es difícil y prolongado, y no realizar un seguimiento adecuado es un gran riesgo. Su prevalencia e incidencia es variable y generalmente desconocida. Puede afectar al paciente, a sus familiares más cercanos, a las mascotas o al medio ambiente, y el "patógeno" puede ser un organismo vivo o un objeto inanimado.

Conclusión: este caso es importante ya que muestra las dificultades del tratamiento, el seguimiento y la atención adecuados, así como la necesidad de mejorar el abordaje de estos pacientes. Además, se pudieron observar signos y síntomas clásicos y poco frecuentes ya que la paciente declaró que sus familiares estaban afectados (posible infestación delirante por poder).

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Cómo citar

Olivera, M. J., Porras Villamil, J. F., López Moreno, G. A., Toquica Gahona, C. C., Paez Ardila, H., & Maldonado Lara, E. (2017). Infestación delirante. Síndrome de Ekbom en una mujer de 47 años. Reporte de un caso. Case Reports, 3(2), 114-125. https://doi.org/10.15446/cr.v3n2.62754