Le parassitosi intestinali

Abstract

Parasitic infections are still a major public health problem in developing countries. The paper presents the case of an 18-month-old girl taken by her mother to the paediatrics department of St. Luke’s Hospital in Wolisso, Ethiopia for general malaise, fever, asthenia and pallor for several days. On suspicion of anaemia, a hemochromocytometric examination was carried out, which showed severe microcytic anaemia, so it was decided to proceed with a whole blood transfusion, after a smear test for malaria parasites. Following a negative test for malaria, it was decided to proceed with a fresh microscopic examination of the faeces, which proved positive for hookworm eggs. Therapy with albendazole was then prescribed, at a dose of 200 mg per os as a single dose, with improvement in the clinical picture. This case underlines the importance of considering hookworm infection as a possible cause of severe anaemia, especially in areas where malaria is not endemic. It is essential to engage in hookworm infection control through preventive measures, such as hygiene, anti-parasite therapy and health education, to reduce the burden of disease in populations at risk. Moreover, a summary review of the main intestinal parasites is reported.