Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infestations are among the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Helminth co-infestations are not uncommon in countries with a high prevalence of STH. We report a case of a 29 -year-old lady with mental retardation and learning difficulties who presented with severe hypochromic microcytic anaemia and severe malnutrition, and diagnosed with concomitant Trichuris trichiura and Ancylostoma duodenale infestations. STH infestations can cause prolonged morbidity, but in our patient, infestations had led to complications of malnutrition and severe weight loss, thus inevitably leading to death.

Introduction: Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica that may lead to death in developing countries. Few important risk factors have been identified in the development of amoebic liver abscess (ALA). There are limited reports that suggest an association between antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) particularly class II antigens and ALA development. This present work aimed at studying the possible association of HLA antigens with ALA and disease severity. Results of the study may serve as a guide for further immunological studies dealing with E. histolytica. Methods: This preliminary study involved two groups of subjects: 20 ALA patients in the experimental group and 40 healthy individuals in the control group. Cases were selected from adult Malay patients confirmed with ALA based on clinical signs and symptoms, radiological findings, microbiological findings and who were admitted to the medical or surgical ward, Hospital USM, Kelantan. Venous blood was obtained from each patient and HLA typing was then conducted using polymerase chain reaction specific primer sequence. Results: HLA DR12 was most frequently found in the healthy control and ALA groups at 40% and 55% respectively. HLA DQ7 and DQ8 were found to have the highest percentage in the ALA group at 65%. In the control group, HLA DQ8 (57.5%) had the highest percentage. Conclusion: HLA antigens play a role in acquisition of ALA and provide understanding of the disease outcome.