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Hookworm Infestation As A Cause Of Melena And Severe Anaemia In Farmer, Marvi Tariq, Syeda Maria Muzammil, Fareed Ahmed Sheikh, K. M. Inam Pal
Hookworm Infestation As A Cause Of Melena And Severe Anaemia In Farmer, Marvi Tariq, Syeda Maria Muzammil, Fareed Ahmed Sheikh, K. M. Inam Pal
Department of Surgery
Abstract
Hookworm infections remain a major cause of morbidity in the developing world. Prevalence is highest in agricultural areas, where use of waste water for irrigation and poor hygiene increases infection rates among farmers. Infections present with gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic anaemia, and there are usually no signs of overt blood loss.
The following report describes a case of melena in a middle-aged farmer, where the diagnosis of hookworm infestation was delayed due to the unusual presentation. The patient underwent multiple blood transfusions before referral to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi and was managed conservatively with mebendazole at …