Chong Chin Heo1,2, Abdul Rani Rafiz3, Romano Ngui4. 1. Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, 47000, Selangor, Malaysia. chin@uitm.edu.my. 2. Institute of Pathology, Laboratory & Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia. chin@uitm.edu.my. 3. Gastroneterology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, 47000, Selangor, Malaysia. 4. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The animal hookworm, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, is a dominant hookworm species of dogs and cats. However, it has increasingly been found infecting humans in Southeast Asia. PURPOSE: We report an autochthonous case of A. ceylanicum in a suburban area of Selangor, Malaysia. A 66-year-old Indian lady who is an avid gardener presented with chronic diarrhea of 4 months' duration. METHODS: The patient was examined clinically and colonoscopy was performed. Adult parasites obtained via colonoscopy were subjected to microscopy and molecular investigations. RESULTS: Clinical examinations were unremarkable, and blood investigation revealed normochromic normocytic anemia. Stool occult blood was positive but negative for ova, cyst and adult parasites. Colonoscopy performed showed multiple diverticulae and worm infestation from the terminal ileum to sigmoid colon. Morphological examination on the adult worms showed the specific characteristics of Ancylostoma species. Molecular investigations further confirmed the nematode as Ancylostoma ceylanicum. She was treated with albendazole 400 mg daily for 3 days with symptomatic improvements sustained 3 months later. It is suspected that the patient had ingested or contacted soil contaminated with filariform larvae while gardening. CONCLUSION: Information on the A. ceylanicum infection in humans, especially in urban and suburban areas, is limited, necessitating further epidemiological and clinical studies.
INTRODUCTION: The animal hookworm, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, is a dominant hookworm species of dogs and cats. However, it has increasingly been found infecting humans in Southeast Asia. PURPOSE: We report an autochthonous case of A. ceylanicum in a suburban area of Selangor, Malaysia. A 66-year-old Indian lady who is an avid gardener presented with chronic diarrhea of 4 months' duration. METHODS: The patient was examined clinically and colonoscopy was performed. Adult parasites obtained via colonoscopy were subjected to microscopy and molecular investigations. RESULTS: Clinical examinations were unremarkable, and blood investigation revealed normochromic normocytic anemia. Stool occult blood was positive but negative for ova, cyst and adult parasites. Colonoscopy performed showed multiple diverticulae and worm infestation from the terminal ileum to sigmoid colon. Morphological examination on the adult worms showed the specific characteristics of Ancylostoma species. Molecular investigations further confirmed the nematode as Ancylostoma ceylanicum. She was treated with albendazole 400 mg daily for 3 days with symptomatic improvements sustained 3 months later. It is suspected that the patient had ingested or contacted soil contaminated with filariform larvae while gardening. CONCLUSION: Information on the A. ceylanicum infection in humans, especially in urban and suburban areas, is limited, necessitating further epidemiological and clinical studies.
Authors: Romano Ngui; Lee Soo Ching; Tan Tiong Kai; Muhammad Aidil Roslan; Yvonne A L Lim Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2012-05 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Romano Ngui; Shafie Aziz; Kek Heng Chua; Roslan Muhammad Aidil; Soo Ching Lee; Tiong Kai Tan; Mistam Mohd Sani; Ahmad Fadzlun Arine; Mahmud Rohela; Yvonne A L Lim Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2015-06-08 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Felicity A Smout; Lee F Skerratt; James R A Butler; Christopher N Johnson; Bradley C Congdon; R C Andrew Thompson Journal: One Health Date: 2017-04-26