Hookworm infestation as a cause of chronic abdominal pain in young Singapore males
Tan, S.H.; Chew, S.J.; Chin, K.W.
Singapore Medical Journal 27(4): 333-335
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 3798147 Document Number: 271917
Screening tests were done on 69 male patients (aged 18 to 20 years) between January 1985 and April 1985, presenting with abdominal pains of more than 3 days duration at the Pasir Laba Medical Centre, Singapore. Sstool examination revealed single infections with hookworm in 27, Ascaris in one and Trichuris in one. Multiple helminth infections were recorded in 3 patients. Many of the patients had a recent history of travel to offshore islands. Eosinophil counts of 8 or more were observed in 26 of the 32 infected patients and is, therefore, a useful tool in screening for parasitic infections. the patients were treated with a 3-day course of mebendazole (100 mg bid).