Infection with Ancylostoma duodenale in childhood

Background: Worldwide 400 to 800 Mio people are infected with hookworms. In tropical and subtropical areas an infection with hookworms is the most com mon reason of eosinophilia and hypochromic anemia. Depending on patients' w eight, age, status of health and nutrition severe medical problems are poss ible. Case report: in our hospital a 13 year old boy was admitted to clear up an eosinophilia. Atonic, malign, different infectious or drug induced diseases could be excluded. Finally an infection with Ancyclostoma duodenale could be detected in the fourth direct microscopic examination of fecal smears fo r parasits and worm eggs. A therapy with mebendazole eradicated the hookwor m successfully Discussion: Because of increasing international tourism it is mandatory to include hookworm infections in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilia a nd hypochromic anemia also in Northern Europe. It must be considered that a sufficient substitution with iron may compensate the anemia and will cove r the disease. Therefore sometimes several stool smears have to be examined to detect the infection.