Endoscopic Diagnosis of Hookworm Infection That Caused Anemia in an Elderly Person

• Main Authors: Yang-che Kuo, Chen-Wang Chang, Chih-Jen Chen, Tsang-En Wang, Wen-Hsiung Chang, Shou-Chuan Shih
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM) 2010-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Gerontology
• Subjects: hookworm infection,; Ancylostoma duodenale,; endoscopy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187395981000013X

Hookworm infection is a common intestinal nematodes in the world. Patients with a light hookworm infection are usually asymptomatic, but a moderate or heavy hookworm burden can result in fatigue, recurrent abdominal pain, and iron-deficiency anemia. We presented a case of 61-year-old man complained of general malaise and melena for 6 months due to hookworm infection. There is no eosinophilia, and the stool exam only revealed positive of occult blood, without ova or parasite identified. Upper endoscopy revealed several squirming red worms in duodenum. Hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale) infection is diagnosed and eradiated by mebendazole successfully. His anemia is corrected after treatment. Hence, hookworm infection should be noted in eldler patients with long term anemia in Taiwan. It is also important to check carefully in the duodenum at routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.