Many of the POWs who were held captive in the Far East during the WWII contracte

Question

Many of the POWs who were held captive in the Far East during the WWII contracted various parasitic infections, especially those prisoners who were forced to work on the infamous Thai-Burma railway. The tropical jungle environment of the Burma (Myanmar) railway project provided perfect conditions for development of the infective stage of a parasite larva, which infected the POWs through the soles of their poorly shod feet as they worked. In patients who have this chronic infection and are on chronic corticosteroid therapy, a syndrome can occur which results in high mortality rates. Which of the following parasites is most likely to be the culprit?

a. Ancylostoma duodenale

b. Ascaris lumbricoides

c. Diphyllobothrium latum

d. Strongyloides stercoralis

e. Taenia solium

Explanation / Answer

Answer a. Ancylostoma duodenale

The Ancylostoma duodenale causes a disease known as the hookworm infection which is most commonly transmitted by walking barefoot especially in areas with warm climate. This can also be caused by poor sanitary arrangements and outdoor defecation. This infection starts with itching and rashes at the site of infection followed by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tired feeling etc.

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