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PubMed2002

Australian hookworms (Ancylostomatoidea): a review of the species present, their distributions and biogeographical origins.

Ancylostomatoidea or hookworms recorded in Australia are reviewed and the attempt is made to provide the biogeographical background to their occurrence. The poor representation of this nematode superfamily is probably a reflection of the fact that they are primarily parasites of Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Insectivora, Rodentia, Edentata, Proboscoidea and primates, eutherian mammals which are either absent from the Australian fauna or which have only recently reached the continent. The principal genera of hookworms recorded to date from Australia are Ancylostoma, Bunostomum, Necator and Uncinaria. The majority of the ancylostomatoid fauna is represented by introduced species of man and domestic animals. Native or endemic species of hookworms are restricted to members of the genus Uncinaria with two species occurring in rodents and pinnipeds. Only a single endemic species of hookworm is known, U. hydromyidis, which is found in the small intestine of a rat. Significant problems remain in understanding the systematics, epidemiology and evolutionary relationships of the Australian ancylostomatoid fauna.

Ancylostomatoidea↗

PubMed1990

[Clinical observations on the treatment of hookworm, Ascaris and Trichuris infection with oxibendazole].

340 cases of hookworm infection, 196 cases of ascariasis and 178 cases of trichuriasis were treated with an anthelmintic, oxibendazole, 15mg/kg.d x 3d; 102, 70 and 66 cases of respective infections were treated with pyrantel 10mg/kg.d x 3d and 108, 74 and 63 cases took placebo for comparison and as control under double-blind observations. Re-examinations of the stool were performed after the treatment. Among the cases treated with oxibendazole, the egg negative conversion rates of hookworm, Ascaris and Trichuris were 70.3-80.6%, 92.5-97.8 and 67.0-71.0% respectively. The egg reduction rates of hookworm were 98.1-98.6%. The larval negative conversion rates of Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus were 77.7 and 83.2% respectively. Among the cases treated with pyrantel, the egg negative conversion rates of the three above mentioned parasites were 73.5, 90.0 and 28.8% respectively. The egg reduction rate of hookworm was 98.8%. Among the cases treated with placebo, the egg negative conversion rates of the three above mentioned parasites were 6.5, 29.7 and 7.9%. No marked adverse reactions were observed by clinical and laboratory examinations.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Hookworm and roundworm infections in farm-worker communities in the large-scale agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.

Surveys were carried out to assess the prevalences and intensities of hookworm and roundworm infections in 15 farm-worker communities in Zimbabwe with poor living conditions. Examination of 1635 faecal samples showed that hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) were the commonest helminths (61.7% of infections). They were followed by Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura at less than 3%. There were striking differences in prevalences and intensities of infection of the different helminthic parasites among the 15 communities surveyed. In general, differences between males and females were not statistically significant. Age-prevalence and age-intensity profiles for hookworms showed that infection increased with age, with a peak in the adult age groups. A. lumbricoides prevalence was relatively high in children but declined to a very low plateau in adults. There were no significant relationships between number of households per latrine at each community and the prevalence and intensity of infection by hookworms and prevalence of roundworms. The relevance of the above findings is discussed in relation to the control of morbidity and transmission of the helminths.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Immunosuppression in Nigerians with hookworm infection.

T rosette cells results in patients with (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) hookworm infection, divided into groups on the basis of the degree of anaemia (Group I had marked anaemia Hb 1-7, hypochromia ), Group II had moderate anaemia (Hb 8-11, hypochromia ++) and Group III had no signs of anaemia despite the underlying hookworm infection), were compared with results in 28 healthy controls who had no signs of other infection and excreting no ova of hookworm or other parasites. The level of sheep erythrocyte rosette-forming T-lymphocytes (SE-TL) in the patients (Group I:42 +/- 8%; Group II:45 +/- 11%; Group III:47 +/- 6%) was markedly reduced compared to controls (58 +/- 13%) (P < 0.001). The leucocyte migratory responses to purified protein derivative (P.P.D); were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in all the subgroups as compared with the controls. The results support the hypothesis of the existence of immunosuppression in patients with hookworm infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Ascariasis and hookworm.

Ascariasis and hookworm (ancylostomiasis) remain the most common intestinal nematodes in the world with significant economic, social, and medical impact. An understanding of the transmission and pathogenesis of ascariasis and hookworm are necessary to recognize their clinical manifestations and to manage the pulmonary sequelae of infection. Transmission occurs predominantly in the tropics and rural areas where there is suboptimal sanitation, personal hygiene, and education regarding these parasites. Ascariasis generally occurs through hand-to-mouth ingestion of agricultural products or food contaminated with parasite eggs. Hookworm is transmitted through larval penetration of the skin. Larval pulmonary migration generally is asymptomatic. However, symptomatic pulmonary disease may occur with fever, cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea, and wheezing due to (1) Loffler's syndrome, (2) the effects of larval tissue migration, (3) airway reactivity or bronchospasm, (4) infectious bacterial complications from parasitic migration and associated aspiration, and rarely (5) chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, transdiaphragmatic penetration, or symptoms of upper airway obstruction. Clinical evaluation shows pulmonary opacities on chest radiograph, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and larvae in respiratory or gastric secretions. Symptomatic treatment may be necessary with bronchodilators and systemic steroids or antibiotics for bacterial complications. The drug of choice is mebendazole (Vermox) 100 mg twice a day for 3 days. Alternatives include a single dose of pyrantel pamoate (Antiminth) 11 mg/kg (maximum dose, 1 g) or albendazole (Zentel) 400 mg orally once. Invermectin (Mectizan) is available through the World Health Organization, and, in the United States, through the manufacturer on a compassionate-use basis. Ivermectin is as effective as currently available drugs against Ascaris but shows only partial efficacy against hookworms, which infest humans. Preventive measures, improvement of sanitary facilities, education, and school screening may be important in the endemic areas to control these parasitic infections.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Strongyloides cf. fuelleborni and hookworm in Papua New Guinea: patterns of infection within the community.

The results of quantitative stool examinations from a large number of rural Papua New Guineans permitted the establishment of age-prevalence and age-intensity profiles and frequency distributions of both Strongyloides cf. fuelleborni and hookworm. Strongyloides exhibited a unique age-prevalence profile which originated at about 40% in the youngest age group, rose to a maximum in those 4-5 years old, and then declined. The intensity of infection reached its peak in 12 month olds before declining. The frequency distribution of Strongyloides egg counts was markedly over-dispersed: k values were below 0.1 for most age groups. Both prevalence and intensity of infection curves for hookworm followed similar patterns, which were typical for the parasite, rising to a maximum at about age 9 years, and then forming a plateau. The distribution of hookworm egg counts was less over-dispersed than that of Strongyloides, the k values rising until about 10 years of age and then remaining stable with a value of about 0.7. With both parasites there was little difference in prevalence or intensity of infection between the sexes, although adult males tended to have higher levels for both quantities.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Haemoglobin concentrations and concomitant infections of hookworm and Trichuris trichiura in Panamanian primary schoolchildren.

The blood haemoglobin concentrations and intestinal helminth infections were surveyed in 658 children aged between 6 and 12 years attending 4 primary schools in Coclé Province, Panama, in November 1987. 147 (22.3%) of the children were judged to have haemoglobin concentrations indicative of iron-deficiency anaemia. Blood haemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower in children with heavier Trichuris trichiura infections (> 5000 eggs/g) (P = 0.014), and in children with dual infections of both hookworm and T. trichiura (P = 0.005). Children with concomitant T. trichiura and hookworm infections were also significantly more likely to have blood haemoglobin levels indicative of anaemia than children who were uninfected or had single infections with either of these helminths (P < 0.005). In a longitudinal study involving 171 children selected from the original 658, blood haemoglobin concentrations were measured again in November 1988. Children who were considered to show an improvement in both hookworm and T. trichiura infections over this 12 month period showed a significantly greater increase in blood haemoglobin concentrations than children who had remained uninfected with either of these helminths throughout the study period (P < 0.05).

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of hookworm infection and its association with low haematocrit among resettlers in Gambela, Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional survey of hookworm infection and haematocrit (HCT) levels was conducted in 7 resettled villages and 3 indigenous villages on sample populations selected by two-stage random sampling. Of 614 resettled persons and 187 indigenous persons, 65.5% and 60.4% respectively were infected with hookworm. Mean haematocrits for 664 resettled and 222 indigenous persons were 33.1% and 35.2%, respectively. A significant association (odds ratio = 2.65) was found between low haematocrit level (below the median for the sample population) and hookworm infection in the resettled population. Suggestions are made on the need for further studies and intervention programmes.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of mixed Oesophagostomum and hookworm infection: effect of albendazole, pyrantel pamoate, levamisole and thiabendazole.

Oesophagostomum bifurcum has recently been recognized as a common parasite of man in northern Togo and in Ghana. In a preliminary trial several anthelmintics were evaluated in the treatment of mixed Oesophagostomum and hookworm infections. Diagnosis was based on faecal culture, since the eggs of Oesophagostomum and hookworm cannot be distinguished morphologically. Of the anthelmintics tested, albendazole was most effective against both parasites. Pyrantel pamoate, 2 x 10 mg/kg, was effective against Oesophagostomum but not against hookworm. The cure rates for both parasites were moderate with thiabendazole and poor with levamisole.

Albendazole↗

PubMed1992

Efficacy of an ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate chewable formulation against the canine hookworms, Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum.

The effectiveness of the combination of pyrantel pamoate (5 mg kg-1) and ivermectin (6 micrograms kg-1) against the canine hookworms Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum was determined. This combination is intended for monthly use as a heartworm preventative and for treatment and control of canine hookworms. The formulation was found to be effective (99.6% reduction in worm burdens) against both species of hookworms in experimentally infected dogs. No adverse effects due to the drug combination were observed in any dog during the course of this study.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2005

Distribution of human Oesophagostomum bifurcum, hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections in northern Ghana.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 216 randomly selected, representative rural villages in the northeastern part of Ghana from March 1995 to May 1998. Inhabitants of randomly selected households, stratified by age and gender, were included. The geographical position of villages was recorded with a global positioning system (GPS). The prevalence of Oesophagostomum, hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections in a study population of 20250 people was determined by microscopic examination of larvae in stool cultures. The overall prevalence was 10.2, 50.6 and 11.6% for the three nematodes, respectively. Hookworm infections were seen in all but one (99.5%) and S. stercoralis in 88.4% of the 216 villages, while Oesophagostomum infections were found to be common in a limited area with prevalences varying from 0 to 75%. An association was found between Oesophagostomum and hookworm infection, both at the individual and at the village level. Spatial analysis of the prevalence data indicated that the endemic area is relatively clearly demarcated to the south of the study area.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Imported hookworm infection in African immigrants in Spain: study of 285 patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hookworm infection is a worldwide intestinal parasitic disease affecting more than one billion people. It represents an important public health problem in rural areas of developing countries. In our environment, it is generally considered an imported disease due to the immigration process. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective observational study of African immigrants diagnosed with hookworm infection at the Immigration and Tropical Medicine Unit of the Hospital of Mataró over the period 1984-1999. RESULTS: We identified 285 patients, mainly young males, from Gambia or Senegal, with a precarious job who had arrived in Spain 3 years earlier or less. Abdominal pain was the commonest reason for consultation (28.8%) cases. Non digestive symptoms were 35.6% and 4.6% remained assymptomatic. 60% had a concomitant infectious disease. Laboratory tests showed iron-deficiency anemia in 28.4% and eosinophilia in 52.3%. 70% of patients did not come to visit after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Microbiologic stool examination is recommended as part of the health assessment of immigrants from countries where hookworm infection is highly prevalent, even in the absence of abdominal symptoms or abnormalities of the red and white blood series.

Africa South of the Sahara↗

PubMed1992

Comparative prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infections and the prospects for combined control.

Programmes to control Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infections have often been targeted at each infection separately, but the advent of benign and broad-spectrum anthelmintics suggests that combined control may be feasible. The extent to which the infections co-occur in communities will determine the need for, and potential benefits of, such a combined approach. This paper examines the comparative distribution of the three geohelminths in different geographical areas and shows that A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura have closely related distributions, while hookworm infection is largely independent of the other two. These results indicate that many communities are at risk of disease from infection by more than one species of helminth. The similar distributions and epidemiological characteristics of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura suggest that simultaneous control of these two parasites by the same strategy would be feasible and highly beneficial to communities. Multiple species control strategies which aim to control hookworm infection may require a more complicated protocol with more precise locality targeting.

Africa, Eastern↗

PubMed1992

Distribution of hookworm infection in Cameroon.

Prevalence of hookworm infection was measured in Cameroon during a national survey carried out for a schistosomiasis research project. The survey provided a representative sample of the 10-19 year age group for each one of the 49 administrative divisions. Prevalences were low in the Extreme North province with a sahelian climate. Prevalences were high in the provinces with an equatorial climate except for the Centre province which is more developed. Regions with tropical Cameroonian climate, which receive a very heavy rainfall, showed the highest prevalences. Urbanized areas had lower infection rates than rural areas. It should not be assumed that hookworm prevalence is uniformly high throughout a tropical country. Since hookworm distribution shows wide variations, large control programmes should start with a thorough evaluation of the situation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Lower hookworm incidence, prevalence, and intensity of infection in children with a Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination scar.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the most common vaccine worldwide, has broad effects on the immune system. Hookworm infections are a major source of morbidity. In response to a preliminary report of BCG vaccination protection against nematodes in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults, data from an ongoing prospective study were analyzed to determine the intensity (eggs per gram of stool), prevalence, and incidence of different helminths in children with and without a BCG vaccination scar. Adjusted prevalence and incidence ratios were estimated by using logistic regression. Children with a BCG vaccination scar were found to have statistically significantly lower hookworm prevalence (41%), incidence (37%), and mean egg counts (39%), after controlling for age, sex, and socioeconomic factors. There was no BCG association with incidence, prevalence, or intensity of infection with Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, or Trichuris trichiura. Such protection would have implications for public health and for research on mechanisms behind human immunological responses to hookworm.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hookworm disease: nutritional implications.

Iron-deficiency anemia resulting from intestinal blood loss is the major consequence of hookworm infection. Development of the anemia can be prevented, and it can be treated by administration of iron. Hypoproteinemia, often associated with hookworm infection, may be the result of either protein malnutrition or increased intestinal loss of protein. It is unlikely that the worms cause diffuse morphologic or functional alterations of the intestine. Fortification or supplementation with iron is a practical method to control hookworm disease in endemic areas.

Ancylostomiasis↗

PubMed2001

Immune responses in hookworm infections.

Hookworms infect perhaps one-fifth of the entire human population, yet little is known about their interaction with our immune system. The two major species are Necator americanus, which is adapted to tropical conditions, and Ancylostoma duodenale, which predominates in more temperate zones. While having many common features, they also differ in several key aspects of their biology. Host immune responses are triggered by larval invasion of the skin, larval migration through the circulation and lungs, and worm establishment in the intestine, where adult worms feed on blood and mucosa while injecting various molecules that facilitate feeding and modulate host protective responses. Despite repeated exposure, protective immunity does not seem to develop in humans, so that infections occur in all age groups (depending on exposure patterns) and tend to be prolonged. Responses to both larval and adult worms have a characteristic T-helper type 2 profile, with activated mast cells in the gut mucosa, elevated levels of circulating immunoglobulin E, and eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and local tissues, features also characteristic of type I hypersensitivity reactions. The longevity of adult hookworms is determined probably more by parasite genetics than by host immunity. However, many of the proteins released by the parasites seem to have immunomodulatory activity, presumably for self-protection. Advances in molecular biotechnology enable the identification and characterization of increasing numbers of these parasite molecules and should enhance our detailed understanding of the protective and pathogenetic mechanisms in hookworm infections.

Ancylostomatoidea↗

PubMed1981

Study of the efficacy of compound Go.9333 (Ciba-Geigy) in hookworm infestation.

50 cases with hookworm infestation were studied to find out the species of the parasite, 25 of them were included for a double-blind trial of compound Go.9333 (Ciba-Geigy)/placebo. Results of the study revealed predominance of Necator americanus (96%) in and around Pondicherry, South India. Compound Go.9333 was found to very effective in the treatment of hookworm infestation. Side effects were minor and were not of much significance. The drug was well accepted and tolerated by most of the cases. On the basis of the present study, compound Go.9333 can be recommended for the treatment of hookworm infestation.

Aniline Compounds↗