Parasitism is one of the leading causes of morbidity and many children have low

hemoglobin levels in the community. The intestinal parasites that may be associated
with anemia are the following: Roundworm, hookworm and amoeba.

PARASITE DISEASE MECHANISMS

E. histolytica Amoebaiasis Inflammation and ulceration
of the colon with tissue
death or perforation – blood
loss.
A. duodenale Hookworm disease Adult hookworms in the
N. americanus small intestine ingest blood,
ruptured erythrocytes,
degraded hemoglobin in
the host
T. trichiura Trichiuriasis Colonizes the cecum and
ascending colon – bloody
diarrhea
A. lumbricoides Ascariasis Absorption of toxic
substances produced by
the worms

Poor nutrition is one of the contributing factors that increases anemia in children with
intestinal parasitism.

In severe amoebaiasis condition, Inflammation and ulceration of the colon with tissue
death or perforation is being observed resulting to blood loss (1,2).

In hookworm disease, adult hookworms in the small intestine ingest blood, ruptured
erythrocytes, and degraded hemoglobin in the hos t(1,2).

In ascariasis, Absorption of toxic substances produced by the worms causes hemolysis

to the host(1,2).

References:

Belicario, V. and De leon, W. (2004), Philippine Textbook of Medical Parasitology, Philippines: UP

Manila.

DPDx-Laboratory identification of parasites of public health concern (2020 August 12). Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/index.html