Clinical Features:
Most infections are asymptomatic.  Heavy infections can cause gastrointestinal problems (abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia), headache, fatigue, anemia and eosinophilia.

Laboratory diagnosis:
Microscopic identification of eggs in feces is evidence of infection.  Because eggs may be difficult to find in light infections, a concentration or flotation procedure is recommended.  Patients may have co-infections with hookworm, so care must be taken to differentiate the two.

Diagnostic findings

• Microscopy
• Morphologic comparison with other intestinal parasites

Treatment:
Pyrantel pamoate is the drug of choice; alternatives include mebendazole and albendazole.  For additional information, see the recommendations in The Medical Letter (Drugs for Parasitic Infections).