Necrotizing enteritis simulating Pig-Bel disease in northern India.

OBJECTIVE

A clinicopathological study of patients presenting with necrotizing enteritis, similar to the Pig-Bel disease of Papua New Guinea.

METHODS

A clinicopathological study of 95 patients presenting in last ten years with acute abdominal pain with diarrhea and/or bleeding per rectum and vomiting and found to have lesions similar to Pig-Bel disease.

RESULTS

89% of the patients were young adult vegetarians from lower socio-economic strata. 94% of cases presented between May and August every year showing a marked seasonal variation. Jejunum was the most common site (95%) involved. Gross examination showed blackish brown 'skip' lesions with gangrene and perforations. Histology showed marked necrosis and congestion of all the layers with mucosal ulcerations.

CONCLUSION

A disease simulating Pig-Bel disease occurs in India. It is more common in young adult vegetarians and may have a different etiology from that proposed in endemic regions.