A Case of Severe Anemia by Necator americanus Infection in Korea.
10.3346/jkms.2010.25.12.1802
- Author:
Hee Jae HYUN
1
;
Eun Min KIM
;
So Yeon PARK
;
Jun Oh JUNG
;
Jong Yil CHAI
;
Sung Tae HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Necator americanus;
Anemia, Hypochromic
- MeSH:
Aged, 80 and over;
Albendazole/therapeutic use;
Anemia/*diagnosis/parasitology;
Animals;
Anthelmintics/therapeutic use;
Duodenoscopy;
Female;
Gastroscopy;
Humans;
*Necator americanus/isolation & purification;
Necatoriasis/*diagnosis/drug therapy;
Republic of Korea
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2010;25(12):1802-1804
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This report describes clinical and parasitological findings of an 82-yr-old female patient who lived in a local rural village and suffered from severe chronic anemia for several years. She was transferred to the National Police Hospital in Seoul for management of severe dyspnea and dizziness. At admission, she showed symptoms or signs of severe anemia. Gastroduodenoscopy observed hyperemic mucosa of the duodenum and discovered numerous moving roundworms on the mucosa. Endoscopy isolated seven of them, which were identified as Necator americanus by characteristic morphology of cutting plates in the buccal cavity. The patient was treated with albendazole and supportive measures for anemia, and her physical condition much improved. This case suggests the possibility that hookworm N. americanus is still transmitted in a remote local mountainous area in Korea.
