BLOOD LOSS IN PURE ANCYLOSTOMA DUODENALE INFECTION IN EGYPTIAN FARMERS.

Abstract

Summary The blood and iron losses in 12 patients with Ancylostoma duodenale infection were measured with Cr51-tagged autogeneous red blood cells. The daily blood loss ranged from 13.6 to 45 ml with a mean of 26.4 ml. The daily iron loss ranged from 3.56 to 9.94 mg with a mean daily loss of 6.06 mg. There was a definite correlation between the intensity of hookworm infection, the daily blood loss, and the severity of the anemia; there occurred a corresponding increase in the daily blood loss and the severity of anemia as the total worm load increased. The mean blood loss per day per A. duodenale was 0.26 ml with a standard deviation of ±0.045 ml. The calculated mean daily blood loss per 1000 eggs per gram of feces was 4.47 ml with a standard deviation of ± 1.6 ml. The Cr51 red cell half-life was markedly shortened in those patients with hemoglobin values under 6.5 g per 100 ml and did not return to normal after deworming and cessation of intestinal bleeding.