1. bookVolume 55 (2018): Issue 2 (June 2018)
Journal Details
License
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Journal
First Published
22 Apr 2006
Publication timeframe
4 times per year
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English
access type Open Access

Concurrent infection of a young tourist by hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis during low budget travel in Southeast Asia

Published Online: 26 Apr 2018
Page range: 166 - 172
Received: 11 Jul 2017
Accepted: 18 Jan 2018
Journal Details
License
Format
Journal
First Published
22 Apr 2006
Publication timeframe
4 times per year
Languages
English
Summary

Strongyloidiasis and hookworm infections are neglected helminth diseases widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. In humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients infections potentially may lead to the life-threatening clinical conditions involving the respiratory as well as gastrointestinal systems. The increased number of tourists travelling to tropical regions is associated with more frequent infection with parasites such as Strongyloides and hookworm. The infection takes place when filariform larvae penetrate the skin exposed to soil, than migrate through the lungs and finally reach the intestine. Travelers are often not aware of how they could get infected. Physicians may suspect strongyloidiasis and hookworm infections in tourists with diarrhea returning from endemic areas, especially when an elevated eosinophilia is observed. In the literature there are many reports about the presence of parasites in indigenous communities, but very few are available regarding travelers. This paper describes a dual infection with hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis in a young female tourist returning from Southeast Asia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a tourist from Europe, acquired in an endemic area.

Keywords

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