The causative agent of hookworm disease is the hookworm. In North and East China, infections are mainly caused by Ancylostoma duodenale, while in South and Southwest China, Necator americanus is the predominant species. Hookworm eggs develop into larvae in soil contaminated by feces. When bare feet or skin come into contact with soil containing infectious filariform larvae, the larvae penetrate the human skin and cause infection. Consuming food or vegetables contaminated with filariform larvae can also lead to gastrointestinal infection. In recent years, effective prevention and control measures have been implemented, leading to a significant reduction in hookworm disease.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Mild cases may be asymptomatic, with anemia being the main manifestation in general. During initial infection, when hookworm larvae invade the skin, they may cause itchy rashes and urticaria. Subsequently, as the larvae enter the bloodstream, they can lead to larva migrans, with symptoms such as fever, cough, and eosinophilia in affected children. Once the adult worms mature in the intestines, they feed on blood and cause intestinal mucosal injuries that impair clotting, leading to blood loss. Over time, this results in blood-loss anemia. Patients may experience loss of appetite, indigestion, and malnutrition. Clinical manifestations include pale complexion, dry and sparse hair, lethargy, apathy, sluggishness, and sometimes dysphoria, restlessness, palpitations, shortness of breath, vertigo, infantile paroxia, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Severe anemia may lead to anemic heart disease.

bubble_chart Auxiliary Examination

1. Routine blood tests may reveal hypochromic microcytic anemia, eosinophilia, and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
2. Stool tests show occult blood positivity. Microscopic examination can detect hookworm eggs, and the flotation method yields a higher positive rate for egg detection.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

First, there is a history of exposure to contaminated soil or consumption of unclean food in the epidemic area.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

﹝Treatment﹞

(1) General treatment: Improve nutritional status and correct anemia. (2) Drug deworming treatment: The following medications can be selected.

1. Albendazole dose is 400mg per dose, administered once as a draught. Contraindicated for children under 2 years old, halve the dose for children under 12 years old. Can be repeated once after 10 days.
2. Mebendazole dose is 200mg per dose, taken 1-2 times daily for 3-4 consecutive days.
3. Pyrantel dose is 30mg per dose, administered once nightly as a draught for 2-3 consecutive days.
4. Levamisole dose is 1.5-3 mg/kg per dose, administered once after dinner as a draught, with a 3-day treatment course. If necessary, two consecutive courses can be taken. ?
5. Bitoscanate dose is 100mg per dose orally, every 12 hours for 2-3 consecutive doses. Contraindicated for children under 5 years old.
6. Thioethylpyridine dose is 5mg/kg per dose, administered once as a draught. Suitable for mixed infections of human hookworm, pinworm, and roundworm.
7. For hookworm dermatitis, topical 5% sulfur calamine lotion can be applied.

bubble_chart Prevention

(1) Conduct large-scale treatment for patients in endemic areas. (2) Improve environmental sanitation, strengthen fecal hygiene management, and carry out health education.