Hookworm as an overlooked cause of overt gastrointestinal bleeding: A case report.

This article focuses on hookworm infestation as a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, illustrated by a case of a 35-year-old farmer presenting with melaena and anemia. Hookworms, primarily from the Ancylostoma and Necator genera, infect humans through skin penetration and mature in the small intestine, where they attach to the intestinal wall causing blood loss and potential iron deficiency anemia. Diagnosis is typically made by identifying hookworm ova in stool samples, supported by elevated eosinophil counts and endoscopic visualization. Treatment with benzimidazole drugs such as albendazole is effective, leading to clinical and hematological improvement. The article highlights the importance of considering hookworm infection in patients from tropical regions with gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia.