Detailed microscopic study of the morpohology of the digestive tract of the female necator americanus (hookworm)

Objective: To do detailed microscopic study of the morpohology of the digestive tract of the female Necator americanus (hookworm).
Methods: All patients who had undergone upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy for a period of 2 years (2017 and 2018) were examined for the presence of parasitic worms.
Results: Out of these patients who had undergone upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy, 20 patients were found to have hookworms in duodenum. The head is curved like a hook and hence it is identified as hookworm.
Conclusion: Hence upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy is a very useful investigation to diagnose hookworm infection especially when the stool examination is negative for its ova or eggs.