Hookworm Infection Caused Acute Intestinal Bleeding Diagnosed by Capsule: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Hookworm infections are rare causes of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a middle aged man with primary nephrotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism. During the treatment with steroids and anticoagulants, the patient presented acute massive hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract. The results of gastroscopy showed red worms in the duodenum. Colonoscopy and CT angiogram of abdomen were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy revealed fresh blood and multiple hookworms in the jejunum and ileum. Hookworms caused the acute intestinal bleeding. The patient responded well to albendazole. Hematochezia was markedly ameliorated after eliminating the parasites. Hence, hookworm infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Capsule endoscopy may offer a better means of diagnosis for intestinal hookworm infections.

The New Status of Parasitic Diseases in the COVID-19 Pandemic—Risk Factors or Protective Agents?

“…The typical symptoms elicited by migrating larvae are similar to those of pulmonary ascariasis, comprising Loffler’s syndrome, coughing and expectoration, in addition to symptoms characteristic of bronchitis: fever, muscle aches, joint pain, breakdown, headaches, general weakness, malaise and wheezing. After being coughed up and swallowed, the larvae parasitize the small intestine and feed on blood, causing protein-deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia [ 46 , 47 ], which may result in easier incursion of other infections, such as SARS-CoV-2. The presence of adult parasites in the intestine may result in abdominal pain, colic, intestinal cramps, nausea, blood in stool and a loss of appetite.…”

Overt gastrointestinal bleeding caused by hookworm infection, diagnosed by capsule endoscopy

“…1 Hookworm infections, caused by Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale, can be transmitted through fecal-to-oral transmission. 2 Symptoms associated with this infection are abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, iron-deficiency anemia and hypoproteinemia. 3 Overt gastrointestinal bleeding caused by hookworm is very rare.…”

A Case Report on Ancylostoma Duodenale Infection in Pregnant Woman

“…IDA is responsible for the stunted growth of the fetus, it also affects mental health in women and children . All of the body systems can be mainly affected by helminths, but mostly influence the gastrointestinal system (Tan et al, 2017;syed et al, 2016).…”