Open AccessSmall bowel parasitosis as cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding diagnosed by capsule endoscopy
Author(s) -
Dimitrios Christodoulou,
Dimitrios E. Sigounas,
Κωνσταντίνος Κατσάνος,
Georgios Dimos,
Epameidas V. Tsianos
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
world journal of gastrointestinal endoscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1948-5190
DOI - 10.4253/wjge.v2.i11.369
Subject(s) - capsule endoscopy , medicine , esophagogastroduodenoscopy , colonoscopy , eosinophilia , anemia , obscure gastrointestinal bleeding , albendazole , endoscopy , gastroenterology , gastrointestinal bleeding , surgery , colorectal cancer , cancer
Hookworm infection is a relatively common cause of anemia in endemic areas. However, it is rarely encountered in Europe. In this report we describe the case of a 24-year old patient originating from an endemic area who was admitted due to severe anemia, with an Hct of 15.6% and eosinophilia (Eosinophils: 22.4%). While both esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy were non-diagnostic, capsule endoscopy revealed a large number of hookworms infesting his small bowel and withdrawing blood. The patient was successfully treated with Albendazole. Capsule endoscopy was proven an important tool in diagnosing intestinal parasitosis.