Hookworm infestation diagnosed by capsule endoscopy (with video)

 CommentaryIt 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, MDAssociate Editor for Focal Points

PII: S0016-5107(06)00201-X

doi:10.1016/j.gie.2006.01.039

© 2006 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.