Case 39: A 24 year old with diarrhoea

Question 1

What is the colonial morphology on MAC for hookworm for a sample from the faeces?

Answer 1

Lactose fermenter (normal microbiota)

Question 2

What is the colonial morphology on DCA for hookworm for a sample from the faeces?

Answer 2

Lactose fermenter (normal microbiota)

Question 3

What is the colonial morphology on CAMP for hookworm for a sample from the faeces?

Answer 3

No growth

Question 4

What is the growth in selenite broth for hookworm?

Answer 4

None

Question 5

What will an iodine stained mount of faeces in a hookworm infection show?

Answer 5

Oval eggs or regular shape and hook worm

Question 6

What is the only hookworm in Australia that infects patients?

Answer 6

Ankylostoma duodenale

Question 7

What are the symptoms of hookworm infection?

Answer 7

Lassitude and vague abdominal discomfort associated with mild diarrhoea

Anaeomic

Travel

Question 8

How could the patient have contracted a hook worm infection?

Answer 8

Enter through penetration of skin, usually through skin between toes.

Into blood → lungs → alveoli → throat → swallowed → small intestine → latch onto wall of small intestine

Question 9

What stage of hook worm infects the patient?

Answer 9

Adult stage - Filariform larva

Question 10

What stage of hook worm is seen in specimens from the patient?

Answer 10

Eggs in faeces

Question 11

What stage of hook worm makes the patient sick?

Answer 11

Adult stage - filariform

Question 12

How can hook worm infection be treated?

Answer 12

Wear shoes

Clean up faeces

Antihelminthics