Can worms cause chest pain?
Yassin, M.A.; Errayes, E-Mehdy.M.; Khan, F.Y.; Elbozom, E.A.; Ellahi, A.Y.
Saudi Medical Journal 28(1): 142-143
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5284 PMID: 17206310 Document Number: 613984
A rare cause of pleural effusion, eosinophilic pleural effusions secondary to hookworm infection, is reported. The patient was a 35-year-old Indian male presenting with a history of right-sided chest pain of one month's duration. The patient denied any history of fever, cough, contact to patients with chronic cough or active tuberculosis. No significant physical signs were observed in the patient upon physical examination; however, chest examinations revealed evidence of pleural effusion. Pleural fluid analysis showed no significant results; Gram stains, acid-fast bacilli smear and TB culture all gave negative results. Stool examination, however, for ova and parasites showed hookworm. The patient was given one dose (400 mg) of albendazole. On follow-up, the pleural effusion as well as the peripheral eosinophilia disappeared.