Background
Hookworm disease is one of the most widely distributed parasitic diseases in the world. It is endemic in Europe, America, Africa and Asia[1]. The main clinical manifestations of hookworm disease are anemia, malnutrition, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and labor decline. It is caused by the parasites of Ancylostoma duodenale Dubini and (or) Necator americanus Stiles. The larvae can invade human capillaries through the skin or mucous membranes, enter the bloodstream, reach the lungs through the right heart, destroy the capillaries of the lungs, enter the alveoli, travel along the bronchi to the pharynx, enter the digestive tract and reach the small intestine after swallowing, and develop into adults in the upper part of the small intestine Attached to the intestinal mucosa[2].
Methods
We described one case of a businesswomen who sufferd from persistent symptoms of anemia, weight loss, and fatigue for years. Anemia was not significantly improved after routine antianemia treatment. In order to further evaluate the cause of anemia, a gastroscopy was performed, and the microscope showed a single hookworm in the lower stomach. Diagnosis was confirmed by the successful funding of Hookworm eggs in the lining of excrement.
Conclusions
Hookworm is a human parasite transmitted through the faecal-oral route which reside the duodenal bulb normally[3]. Adult worms are not usually seen in the stomach. There are only few cases reporting hookworm infestation of the stomach. In this case report we present an endoscopic demonstration of hookworm infestation in the stomach found by physical examination of a woman who presented with chronic anaemia.
For anaemia patients, especially chronic anaemia patients and those suspected of hookworm disease, gastroscopy should pay attention to the observation of duodenal globules and fecal search for eggs, which are conducive to the early diagnosis of hookworm disease.