[Imported hookworm infection in African immigrants in Spain: study of 285 patients].

OBJECTIVE

Hookworm infection is a worldwide intestinal parasitic disease affecting more than one billion people. It represents an important public health problem in rural areas of developing countries. In our environment, it is generally considered an imported disease due to the immigration process.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study of African immigrants diagnosed with hookworm infection at the Immigration and Tropical Medicine Unit of the Hospital of Mataró over the period 1984-1999.

RESULTS

We identified 285 patients, mainly young males, from Gambia or Senegal, with a precarious job who had arrived in Spain 3 years earlier or less. Abdominal pain was the commonest reason for consultation (28.8%) cases. Non digestive symptoms were 35.6% and 4.6% remained assymptomatic. 60% had a concomitant infectious disease. Laboratory tests showed iron-deficiency anemia in 28.4% and eosinophilia in 52.3%. 70% of patients did not come to visit after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Microbiologic stool examination is recommended as part of the health assessment of immigrants from countries where hookworm infection is highly prevalent, even in the absence of abdominal symptoms or abnormalities of the red and white blood series.