Reducing Burden of Hookworm Disease in the Management of Upper Abdominal Pain in the Tropics

Abstract

A prospective study of the stool samples of 129 rural patients with symptoms of upper abdominal pain, tenderness and indigestion was carried out from 2 February 1998 to 31 December 1998 and followed up to June 1999. The age range was 11-85 years, female:male ratio 2.4:1: 102 specimens were positive for helminths--Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm) 80 (62%); Trichuris trichuria (threadworm) 12 (9.3%); Ascaris lumbricoides (large roundworm) 10 (7.76%); Strongyloides stercoralis three (2.3%); Taenia saginata (tapeworm) three (2.3%). The female:male ratio for hookworm was 3:1. Treatment with appropriate anthelminthic agents were given serially at each visit according to the result of faecal examination. At 6 months follow up 88 patients were free of symptoms, 60 of which were caused by helminths the hookworm group. Stool 'test and treat' strategy appears to be a cost-effective approach in the management of these patients.

Helicobacter pylori associated with breastfeeding, nutritional status and recurrent abdominal pain in healthy Nigerian children

“…Similar findings have been reported in Saudi Arabia [37] and the United States [38]. In sub-Saharan Africa, RAP is common in children and helminthiasis is the proven etiology, particularly in low socio-economic settings [39]. This has been responsible for the common practice of parents administering anthelmintics to their children following complaints of RAP.…”

Evaluation of hookworm infections and some haematological parameters amongst primary and secondary schools children in Aba Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

“…Eosinophilia peaks at five to nine weeks after the outset of infection, a period that coincides with the appearance of adult hookworms in the intestine (Maxwell et al, 1987). A moderate or heavy hookworm burden results in recurrent epigastric pain and tenderness, nausea, exertional dyspnea, pains in the lower extremities, palpitations, joint and sternal pains, headache, fatigue and impotence (Anyaeze, 2003).…”

Eczematous skin eruption on a farmer's leg in central Taiwan

“…In addition to causing skin eruptions, human hookworms may cause various symptoms, such as cough, nausea, diarrhoea, bloody stool and abdominal pain . Migratory pulmonary infiltrates and peripheral eosinophilia (Loeffler syndrome) are rarely reported.…”