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obsolete hookworm infectious disease
Description
Classic Hookworm Disease: A Gastrointestinal Infection
Hookworm disease, also known as classic hookworm disease, is a gastrointestinal infection characterized by chronic blood loss that leads to iron-deficiency anemia [5]. This condition was more prevalent in the past, particularly among children and adults in tropical regions.
Causes of Hookworm Disease
The primary cause of hookworm disease is the ingestion of hookworm eggs through contaminated soil or feces. The eggs hatch into larvae, which penetrate the skin and travel to the lungs before being swallowed and maturing in the intestines [12].
Symptoms of Hookworm Disease
The symptoms of hookworm disease include:
- Chronic blood loss leading to iron-deficiency anemia
- Weight loss and fatigue due to anemia
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
Diagnosis and Treatment
Hookworm disease is diagnosed by identifying the parasite's eggs in a stool sample. The treatment typically involves administering anthelmintic medications to kill the parasites [13].
Prevention
To prevent hookworm disease, it is essential to avoid walking barefoot on contaminated soil or feces. Regularly washing hands and feet can also help reduce the risk of infection.
Note: Hookworm disease is relatively rare in developed countries, but it still affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in tropical regions [10].
Additional Characteristics
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Chronic blood loss leading to iron-deficiency anemia
- Weight loss and fatigue due to anemia
Signs and Symptoms
Hookworm infections, although relatively rare in modern times, can still cause various symptoms and signs. Here are some of the common ones:
- Skin rash: The first sign of a hookworm infection is often a skin rash, which can appear as red, itchy tracks on the affected area (6). This occurs when the larvae penetrate the skin.
- Fever: As the infection progresses,
Additional Symptoms
- Skin rash
- fever
Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic Tests for Hookworm Infection
Hookworm infection, although considered an obsolete disease in many parts of the world, still affects millions of people globally, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The diagnostic tests used to detect this infection have evolved over time, with some methods being more effective than others.
- Microscopy: Microscopy is considered the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of hookworm infection [5]. This method involves detecting parasites in Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears or in stool samples using the Telemann technique [6].
- Stool Ova and Parasites Exam: A stool ova and parasites exam can also be used to diagnose hookworm infection. This test detects the eggs of the parasite in the stool sample [3].
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC with differential can help diagnose hookworm infection by detecting eosinophilia, a condition characterized by an increased number of eosinophils in the blood [3].
- Agar Plate Culture: Agar plate culture is another method used to diagnose hookworm infection. This test involves culturing the parasite on an agar plate and observing its growth [7].
Limitations of Diagnostic Tests
While these diagnostic tests are effective, they have some limitations. For example:
- Species-Specific Diagnosis: The eggs of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus are morphologically almost identical, making it difficult to diagnose the species-specific infection [10].
- Sensitivity and Specificity: Some diagnostic tests may not be sensitive or specific enough to detect hookworm infection accurately [5].
Conclusion
In conclusion, while hookworm infection is considered an obsolete disease in many parts of the world, it still affects millions of people globally. The diagnostic tests used to detect this infection have evolved over time, with some methods being more effective than others. However, these tests also have limitations that need to be addressed.
References:
[1] S Khurana (2017) - The diagnostic methods include conventional and molecular methods. [3] Aug 26, 2023 - Exams and Tests. Tests that can help diagnose the infection include: Complete blood count (CBC) with differential · Stool ova and parasites exam ... [5] by A Ricciardi · 2015 · Cited by 131 — Microscopy is the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis. This method involves detecting parasites in Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood smears or in stool samples using the Telemann technique. [6] by A Ricciardi · 2015 · Cited by 131 — The Telemann technique is used to detect parasites in stool samples. [7] Agar plate culture is another method used to diagnose hookworm infection. This test involves culturing the parasite on an agar plate and observing its growth. [10] The eggs of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus are morphologically almost identical, making it difficult to diagnose the species-specific infection.
Additional Diagnostic Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Microscopy
- Agar Plate Culture
- Stool Ova and Parasites Exam
Treatment
Treatment Options for Hookworm Infection
Hookworm infection, also known as ancylostomiasis or necatoriasis, is a parasitic disease caused by the Ancylostoma or Necator species. While it was once a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, its incidence has declined significantly with improvements in sanitation and hygiene.
Medications Used to Treat Hookworm Infection
In the past, various medications were used to treat hookworm infection, including:
- Albendazole: A widely used anthelmintic medication that is effective against both intestinal and cutaneous hookworm infections [1][2].
- Mebendazole: Another commonly used anthelmintic medication that has been shown to be effective in treating hookworm infections [3][4].
- Pyrantel pamoate: A medication that was once used to treat hookworm infection, but its use has declined due to the availability of more effective and safer alternatives [5].
Treatment Guidelines
The treatment guidelines for hookworm infection have evolved over time. In the past, a single dose of albendazole or mebendazole was often sufficient to cure the infection. However, with the emergence of drug-resistant strains, multiple doses may be required to achieve optimal results [6][7]. Additionally, preventive measures such as mass treatment campaigns and improved sanitation practices have been implemented in high-risk areas to control the spread of the disease [8].
Current Treatment Status
While hookworm infection is still a significant public health concern in some parts of the world, its incidence has declined significantly with improvements in sanitation and hygiene. As a result, the use of medications to treat hookworm infection has become less common. However, in areas where the disease remains endemic, treatment options such as albendazole and mebendazole remain available.
References:
[1] Context 2 [2] Context 9 [3] Context 5 [4] Context 10 [5] Context 11 [6] Context 3 [7] Context 9 [8] Context 12
Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis for an obsolete hookworm infectious disease would involve considering other conditions that may present with similar symptoms and characteristics.
According to the search results, some possible differential diagnoses for hookworm infection include:
- Trichuris trichiura eggs: These can be mistaken for hookworm eggs in stool specimens (see [11]).
- Other geohelminths (trichuriasis, ascariasis, strongyloidiasis): These parasitic infections can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia, making them a possible differential diagnosis for hookworm infection (see [14]).
- Other causes of anemia: Conditions such as iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or chronic diseases like cancer can all lead to anemia, which is a common symptom of hookworm infection (see [4] and [7-8]).
- Other causes of eosinophilia: Eosinophilia, or high levels of eosinophils in the blood, can be caused by a variety of conditions including allergies, asthma, and parasitic infections other than hookworm (see [10]).
It's worth noting that these differential diagnoses are not necessarily obsolete, as they may still be relevant today. However, the specific context of an "obsolete" hookworm infectious disease suggests that we are looking at historical or archaic conditions that were once prevalent but have since been largely eradicated.
In this case, some possible additional considerations for a differential diagnosis might include:
- Ancient diseases: Conditions such as malaria, typhoid fever, and cholera were once major public health concerns in many parts of the world. While they are still present today, their incidence has decreased significantly in many areas due to advances in medicine and sanitation.
- Historical parasitic infections: Other parasitic infections that were once common but have since been largely eradicated include diseases such as leprosy, sleeping sickness, and Chagas disease.
These conditions would need to be considered in the context of a historical or archaic diagnosis, taking into account the specific time period and geographical location being studied.
Additional Information
- oboInOwl#hasOBONamespace
- disease_ontology
- oboInOwl#hasAlternativeId
- DOID:10954
- oboInOwl#id
- DOID:2791
- core#notation
- DOID:2791
- IAO_0000115
- A Strongylida infectious disease that involves infection of the small intestine of mammals, cats and dogs by the parasitic nematodes of genus Ancylostoma, Necator and Uncinaria.
- oboInOwl#hasExactSynonym
- ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis
- rdf-schema#label
- obsolete hookworm infectious disease
- owl#deprecated
- true
- 22-rdf-syntax-ns#type
- http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#Class
- rdf-schema#domain
- https://w3id.org/def/predibionto#has_symptom_9981
- owl#annotatedSource
- t423233
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