Diploscapter coronata infection in Thailand: report of the first case

Abstract

A 73-year-old Thai woman living in Mueang District, Saraburi Province, central Thailand presented with numerous hookworm-like nematodes, finally revealed as Diploscapter coronata, by fecal culture. The patient exhibited no significant clinical signs of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary systems, and was generally not ill as a result of this unusual infection. Less commonly, patients have presented with symptoms and signs of Diploscapter coronata infection. However, potentially serious consequences can occur where people have exposure to an environment that has been contaminated with infected feces, or more specifically, infective eggs; such conditions could lead to human infection with Diploscapter coronata worms. This was the first reported occurrence of human Diploscapter coronata infection in Thailand.