LABORATORY FINDING REPORTED AS “URBANORUM SPP.” IN AN ADOLESCENT IN THE AMAZON: A CASE REPORT AND CHALLENGES IN DIAGNOSTIC INTERPRETATION

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health concern, particularly in communities with inadequate sanitation. However, structures observed in stool examinations require careful interpretation, especially when their parasitic nature is questioned. This article aimed to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of an adolescent with a laboratory finding reported as “Urbanorum spp.” and discuss its diagnostic limitations. This case report concerns a 15-year-old adolescent living in Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil, who attended a primary healthcare unit with abdominal cramps and tenesmus lasting two days. The patient lived in a stilt house in a flood-prone area, denied diarrhea, and presented moderate pain on deep abdominal palpation. A stool parasitological examination was reported as positive for “Urbanorum spp.”. Tinidazole was prescribed, followed by clinical improvement and a negative follow-up stool examination. Nevertheless, the favorable outcome does not establish a causal relationship between the finding and the symptoms or demonstrate specific therapeutic efficacy. The case highlights the importance of integrated clinical assessment, critical interpretation of laboratory reports, and scientific updating to avoid classifying structures of controversial nature as confirmed infectious agents.