Which test is commonly used to diagnose hookworm infection?

The most commonly used test to diagnose a hookworm infection is a stool examination for eggs. Hookworms are helminth parasites that live in the intestines of their hosts. They lay eggs that are then excreted in the feces. By performing a stool examination, healthcare providers can identify the presence of these eggs, confirming the diagnosis of a hookworm infection. This method is reliable and specific for detecting the parasite in a patient's digestive system.

In contrast, while blood tests for eosinophils may indicate an immune response suggesting a parasitic infection, they are not specific to hookworms and cannot confirm the presence of the parasite itself. Skin scraping is typically used for diagnosing cutaneous larva migrans or other skin conditions and is irrelevant to hookworm diagnosis. An MRI scan is not utilized for detecting gastrointestinal parasites and is primarily used for imaging soft tissues, making it unsuitable for this purpose.