At the Focal PointHookworm infestation diagnosed by capsule endoscopy (with video)
References (0)
Cited by (10)
Human hookworm disease: Enteroscopy and video capsule endoscopy features
2018, Clinics and Research in Hepatology and GastroenterologyMidgut bleeding due to uncinariasis and diagnosed by capsule endoscopy: A clinical case
2013, Revista de Gastroenterologia de MexicoOvert gastrointestinal bleeding because of hookworm infection
2012, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical MedicineHookworm infection in a healthy adult that manifested as severe eosinphilia and diarrhea
2011, Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and InfectionCitation Excerpt :Eventually we found the worms by endoscopy. There have been a number of previous cases, where endoscopy was used to detect worms in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, epigastric discomfort, and intestinal bleeding) in the literature.15–26 In most of these cases, worms were identified in the small intestine and only one study reported finding hookworms by colonoscopy.26
Two center experience of capsule endoscopy in Iran: Report on 101 cases
2018, F1000ResearchCapsule endoscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in the tropics: Report from India
2011, Digestive Endoscopy
Commentary
It is estimated that 1 billion people are infected with hookworm, mostly Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. After the third-stage larvae penetrate the skin and migrate to the lungs, they eventually penetrate alveoli and are swallowed, passing into the small bowel, where they mature. Mature worms mate and lay eggs: N americanus ∼10,000 per day and A duodenale ∼20,000 per day for more than 10 years! Hookworms graze on the mucosa, feeding on host blood. Blood consumption is estimated at up to 0.04 mL per day for N americanus and up to 0.3 mL per day for A duodenale; some hookworm species (Ancyclostoma caninum) also may cause eosinophilic enteritis and aphthae. In this case, the cause of the melena is unclear, especially because it wasn't noted on the capsule endoscopy. I will look with interest for future evaluations of the small bowel in hookworm infection.
Lawrence J. Brandt, MD
Associate Editor for Focal Points