What is a characteristic finding of a hookworm infection in stool analysis?

In a hookworm infection, the characteristic finding during stool analysis is the presence of eggs of the hookworm parasites. Hookworms, which belong to the genera Ancylostoma and Necator, are soil-transmitted helminths that lay eggs in the human intestines. These eggs are excreted in the stool, and when a stool sample is examined microscopically, the hookworm eggs can be identified due to their distinctive shape and size.

Identifying these eggs is critical for confirming a diagnosis of hookworm infection, as they can indicate the presence of the parasite in the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, other choices, such as white worms, red blood cells, or acid-fast bacilli, do not pertain to hookworm infections. White worms may suggest the presence of other types of helminths, red blood cells might indicate gastrointestinal bleeding potentially due to the hookworm feeding on blood, but they are not direct indicators of the presence of the parasites. Acid-fast bacilli are typically associated with infections like tuberculosis, not helminth infections. This specificity highlights the importance of recognizing the eggs in diagnosing hookworm diseases accurately.