PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “hookworm”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Acquired Resistance In Mice To The Dog Hookworm, Ancylostoma Caninm.

The present study attempted to induce an acquired immunity against the dog hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum. The experiments were carried out to demonstrate and confirm whether an acquired resistance could be developed by the repeated lowgrade infections with the infective larvae of A. caninum in the abnormal host of mouse. 1. In order to determined the distribution of hookworm larvae in the lungs and liver of mice after inoculation of infective larvae, 54 mice were inoculated with 1,000 larvae and sacrificed in batches daily up to 9 days after infection. It was found that in all cases the average total number of larvae recovered from the lungs and liver increased at 48 hours after infection, then began to decrease and reached 0 to 1 at the 9th day after inoculation. 2. One hundred fifteen mice were immunized 2 or 4 times at 7 day intervals with 50 infective larvae, followed by challenging infection with 1,000 infective larvae and killed in batches at 48 hours after challenge. The interval between challenge and last immunization were from one to four weeks for each group. Sixty mice as the controls were given only challenging infection without previous immunization infection. Induced resistance was evaluated by the rate of recovery or the average total number of the larvae recovered from the lungs and liver in the challenged mice, compared with the controls. It was noted that the rates of recovery in the controls were twice or nearly higher than those in the previously infected mice in all instances and these remained low for the first 7 day intervals between the last immunizing infection and challenge, then gradually increased. 3. From the above observations it is highly suggested that an acquired resistance can be produced by repeated previous infections with the larvae of A. caninum, even in low grade, in the abnormal host of mouse, and evaluated by the rate of recovery of the larvae after challenge.

Journal Article↗

[Studies On The Transmissibility Of Pathogenic-Organisms To Liver By Migrating Larvae Of Liver Fluke And Hookworm]

In order to confirm whether the migrating larvae of parasites could carry pathogenic organisms into liver and cause hepatitis, a series of experiments has been carried out. A. Clonorchis sinensis: Recovery rate of larvae in the abdominal cavity of rabbits: One to seven days after the administration adolescariae were recovered from the abdominal cavity in less than l % of the total number of metacercariae given. Generally, 1~6 larvae were found from each animal which was given 900~1,000 metacercariae, though many larvae were already found in the common bile ducts or remained still in intestine. Fate of Clonorchis sinensis in abdominal cavity: The young or mature worms which were introduced directly into the abdominal cavity were examined l5, 32, 40 and 42 days after the inoculation. Several larvae were found on the surface of liver in four animals. All the worms on the surface of the liver were dead and the biopsied liver tissues on the area where the worms were attached showed no pathological changes. Two of them were between bile duct and liver tissue but pus cell infiltration surrounding them was observed. In every case, pus cell infiltration was found in the peripheral portion of the liver and pus nodules on the surface of intestine and mesentery. The nodule in the intestinal wall contained the eggs of Clonorchis sinensis. Two worms in the abdominal cavity were still alive. From the above results it is suggested that the larvae of Clonorchis sinensis were capable of penetrating the intestinal wall and reaching the organs in the abdominal cavity and surviving for l5~42 days, but they were unable to penetrate the organs. No bacterial flora appeared from the lesion by culture method. Fate of Clonorchis sinensis which was inoculated into the peripheral region of liver: Small abscess was observed at the same area. Microscopically, the area became edematous and the vessels in the peripheral region were dilated. The parasites became necrotic and amorphous. Pathologically the lesions appeared as eosinophilic masses and neutrophile leukocytes were infiltrated surrounding the masses. In some cases, the dead worms were found apart from the original place of inoculation but no leukocyte infiltration was found. There was linear infiltration between the original site and the portion where the dead worm was found. The distance from the capsule varied from 0 to 4 mm. Sometimes, the eggs of Clonorchis sinensis were also found. In all cases, there were no living worms in liver tissues and hepatic ducts. In all case,. the bacteriological examination was negative. Do clonorchis sinensis transfer the microorganism? Five adult worms of clonorchis sinensis were incubated in the saline solution containing Staphylococcus aureus. The intestinal contents of these worms were cultured in the Nutient-agar plate and examined by Methylene Blue and Gram's stain. The area of liver tissue where the Clonorchis sinensis were inoculated showed no inflammatory changes after the 3 days of inoculation but no living Staphylococcus aureus was found in the culture media with which the pieces of liver tissues were smeared. B. Hookworm: Cutaneous infection: Four to eight days after the cutaneous infection of Ancylostoma caninum, the mice were sacrificed. Grossly, there was no abnormal finding in liver. The pieces of liver tissues were smeared on the Nutrient-agar plate, and cocci were found in four out of six examined. The microorganism were confirmed as the same species of Diplococcus pneumoniae which were grown in the hookworm culture media. Oral infection: 1,000 filariform larvae of Ancylostoma caninum were given orally. 24 hours later, the mice were sacrificed and the pieces of liver tissue were smeared on the Nutrient-agar plate. After 50 hours at 36 C, the bacterial colonies were examined bacteriologically. Staphylococcus albus was found from two out of four samples. Grossly there was no abnormality on the surface of liver, but microscopically there were spots like microabscesses which were infiltrated by leukocytes. The larvae were also found from other portions of liver tissues and they were surrounded by yellow colored material. In another experiment, a combination of Ancylostoma duodenale and Staphylococcus aureus was fed to mice. The mice sacrificed five days after the oral administration of Ancylostoma duodenale cultivated in the media containing Staphylococcus aureus. The liver pieces were examined routinely. The larvae cultivated in normal tap water which contained no Staphylococcus aureus was used as control. In the experimental mouse, the cocci appeared in the liver. Pathologically, microabscesses infiltrated with neutrophile leukocytes were found, but there was no manifestation of inflammatory change due to Staphylococcus aureus. There was only mechanical trauma due to the larvae penetration. Haemorrhage appeared only where the larvae were found.

Journal Article↗

An unusual outbreak of hookworm disease in North India.

An unusual outbreak of hookworm disease occurred after a game of "kabaddi" (a local game which results in much body contact with the ground) in 27 young males from one village. It was characterized by an immediate incapacitating dermatitis, followed by severe pulmonary symptoms. Progressive weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss and anemia developed within a few months. Ancylostoma duodenale was found in all except four patients who had received antihelminthic treatment. Specific treatment for hookworm resulted in complete clinical recovery. Features of the outbreak were: 1) the hitherto unrecorded mode of infection; 2) severe dermatitis; 3) pulmonary symptoms lasting more than 3 mo; 4) abdominal symptoms suggestive of subacute obstruction starting 4-6 mo after exposure; and 5) severe disability with weight loss for a period of 1 yr until specific treatment was administered.

Adolescent↗

Experimental human infection with the dog hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible routes for human infection by the dog hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANT: Relatively small numbers of infective larvae were administered orally and percutaneously to an informed healthy volunteer (J K L) under medical supervision, at intervals between May 1998 and May 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms; weekly blood eosinophil counts; faecal microscopy. RESULTS: A marked blood eosinophilia followed a single oral exposure to 100 infective larvae, while faecal examination remained negative. Eosinophil counts then declined gradually, although a rapid, spontaneous rise several months later, at the beginning of spring, possibly indicated reactivation of dormant larvae. Blood eosinophil numbers did not rise significantly after percutaneous infection with 200 larvae. A subsequent, smaller, oral inoculum of 20 larvae provoked an eosinophil response similar to that of the first experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that, following ingestion, some infective larvae of A. caninum develop directly into adult worms in the human gut (as they do in dogs). While the percutaneous route might be the most common means of human exposure to canine hookworm larvae, leading generally to subclinical infection, oral infection may be more likely to provoke symptomatic eosinophilic enteritis.

Abdominal Pain↗

Histochemical alterations of infective third-stage hookworm larvae (L3) in vaccinated mice.

To study the histochemical alterations of hookworm L3 administered in a challenge dose to mice vaccinated previously with the larvae. Male Kunming strain mice vaccinated subcutaneously with 500 living Ancylostoma caninum L3 once every 2 weeks for a total of three immunizations before a final challenge with 500 L3 one week after the final immunization. The abdominal skin with underlying subcutaneous tissue and muscle were removed from the site of percutaneous challenge entry (from 2-3 mice), and fixed in absolute alcohol, cold acetone and 10% neutralized formalin. The tissue sections containing the L3 from the challenge dose were then stained histochemically of glycogen, RNA, DNA alkaline protein, acid mucopolysaccharide, collagen, reticulin, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase). Skin samples from non-immunized mice that were also subcutaneously inoculated with the L3 served as negative control. The L3 identified in cutaneous sections from vaccinated mice at 6-72 hours post-challenge exhibited reductions in parasite glycogen, alkaline protein, RNA and DNA, as well as reductions in acid mucopolysaccharide, collagen and reticulin contents in the parasite cuticle. There were also reduced enzyme AKP and ATPase activities. In contrast L3, identified in sections from non-immunized mice exhibited a normal histochemical appearance, as did some L3 who survived in vaccinated mice at 7-14 days post-challenge. Vaccination results in hookworm L3 damage which is manifested by reduced histochemical staining for the challenge inoculum of parasites. There is also reduced hydrolytic enzyme activity. The observed changes could reflect either host-mediated parasite structural damage and disintegration or possibly anti-metabolic properties of the host immune response.

Ancylostoma↗

Cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell and eosinophil responses after challenge in mice vaccinated with living infective third-stage hookworm larvae.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the quantitative and qualitative alterations in mast cells and eosinophils distributed in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues of hookworm-infected, uninfected and vaccinated mice. METHODS: Outbred male Kunming strain mice, weighing 18-22 g, were vaccinated thrice by subcutaneous inoculation with 500 living third-stage infective larvae (L3) of Ancylostoma caninum (A. caninum) every 2 weeks, and then challenged subcutaneously with 500 L3 one week after the final immunization. Uninfected mice and non-immunized mice but infected with L3 served as controls. The abdominal skin at the site of percutaneous entry was excised from challenged mice at intervals between 6 hours and 7 days after challenge, fixed, and then examined by light microscopy after staining with either toluidine blue or hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: The total number of mast cells appearing in cutaneous, and subcutaneous tissues, and underlying abdominal musculature of immunized mice increased significantly compared with non-immunized mice. Mast cells from hookworm-infected mice showed evidence of membrane rupture and degranulation in contrast to the intact appearance of mast cells from uninfected mice. The degree of mast cell degranulation was greater in vaccinated and challenged mice when compared with non-immunized and infected mice. Similarly, eosinophilic infiltration was greatly enhanced after L3 infection. Tissues from vaccinated mice had a greater number of eosinophils than non-immunized mice after infection. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cell alterations appearing earlier than tissue eosinophilic infiltration is major inflammatory response to Ancylostoma caninum (A. caninum) L3 infection in mice. These processes are more obvious in L3-vaccinated mice.

Ancylostoma↗

The effects of ageing on the immune response to Schistosoma haematobium and hookworm by measuring circulating immune complexes, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM levels in residents of Omi dam area of Kogi State, Nigeria.

In this study, the effects of infestation (with Schistosoma haematobium or hookworm) during host ageing on the serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC), C3, IgG, IgA and IgM were examined in residents of Omi dam area of Kogi state, Nigeria. S. haematobium-infested and hookworm-infested individuals showed no significant alteration in the levels of CIC, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM in comparison with controls. These levels were the same in infested subjects and controls even when the patients were pooled. Infested old people had the same concentrations of serum CIC, C3 IgG and IgM in comparison with infested young people but IgA levels were higher in the aged group (t=2.100; P<0.05); and were significantly correlated with age (r=0.301; P<0.05). No significant increase in CIC levels with rising age (r=0.123; P>0.20) was observed in the overall population of infested subjects; and infestation in old age did not alter CIC, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM levels in comparison with uninfested young people. For the uninfested, IgG, IgA and IgM values were similar in the aged and the young but the levels of CIC were higher (t=2.156; P<0.05; r=0.280; P<0.05) and C3 lower (t=3.313; P<0.01; r=-0.236; P>0.10) in the aged. The results of this study suggest that the elevated CIC levels found in old people is age-related; and that the contribution of parasitic infestation to these raised levels is uncertain.

Adolescent↗

Serum-stimulated feeding in vitro by third-stage infective larvae of the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum.

Developmentally arrested nonfeeding infective larvae of hookworms resume development after entry into the host, presumably in response to a signal encountered during invasion. Logically, an initial step in the resumption of development might be the resumption of feeding. An in vitro assay for feeding is described for the third-stage larvae of the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum. Populations of larvae incubated under hostlike conditions in the presence of 10% canine serum resume feeding within 6 hr, as evidenced by the uptake of fluorescein-labeled bovine serum albumin. Feeding is dependent on the presence of canine serum, and peaks by 24 hr incubation. Maximal feeding levels occur at temperatures above 34 C with a gas phase of 5% CO2/95% air, whereas culture medium and pH are unimportant for feeding. Serum concentrations between 0.1% and 1.0% (v/v) initiate feeding, and the response peaks at approximately 8.0% serum. Serum triggers feeding within 6 hr and is not required for feeding to continue once initiated. The saturation effect and the trigger phenomenon suggest that the initiation of feeding is a receptor-mediated response.

Ancylostoma↗

Effects of milbemycin oxime on adult hookworms in dogs with naturally acquired infections.

Previous work indicated that adult Ancylostoma caninum can be removed from experimentally infected dogs, using a formulation of milbemycin oxime at dosage of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight. To determine the efficacy of this treatment in dogs naturally infected with adult hookworms, 24 mixed-breed dogs with patent hookworm infections were purchased from an out-of-state vendor, and 6 male and 6 female dogs were assigned to either a control group or a group that would be treated. Dogs were treated 10 days after their arrival and were euthanatized 1 week after treatment. Beginning 3 days before treatment, fecal samples were collected daily from all dogs, and the number of Ancylostoma eggs per gram of dry weight of feces was determined from each sample. By 1 week after treatment, the mean number of eggs being passed by the treated dogs had dropped from 12,700 to 10 eggs/g of dried feces; there was no apparent change in fecal egg counts for dogs of the control group. At necropsy, the mean number of adult A caninum in dogs of the treated and control groups was 1.3 and 56, respectively; in these naturally infected dogs, efficacy of treatment was calculated to be 97.8%. The mean number of adult Trichuris vulpis recovered in dogs of the control and treated groups at necropsy was 24 and 0, respectively, which yielded treatment efficacy of 100%. Although Uncinaria stenocephala and Toxocara canis appeared also to be removed by use of this dosage, too few dogs were in the study to calculate meaningful efficacies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ancylostomiasis↗

Isolation and characterization of a proteolytic enzyme from the adult hookworm Ancylostoma caninum.

The adult hookworm Ancylostoma caninum releases a proteolytic enzyme which is thought to be essential for its adaption to parasitism. The protease was purified from parasite extracts by ion-exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The purified enzyme exhibited a molecular weight of 37,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and had an NH2-terminal sequence of Arg-His-His-Gln-Pro-Lys-Val-Ala-Leu-Leu-Gly-Ala-His-Gly-Gly-Ile. Using 125I-fibrin as substrate, the enzyme displayed optimal activity at pH 9-11 and was inactivated by dialysis against EDTA. The enzyme degraded [3H]elastin and both elastin and trypsin-labile glycoproteins in a rat vascular smooth muscle extracellular matrix. Antiserum raised to the protease in rabbits cross-reacted with extracts from the infective larval stage of A. caninum, suggesting that the production of the enzyme begins in an earlier developmental stage of the parasite life cycle. The role of the protease in the histolytic and anticlotting processes of the hookworm and its importance in immunity to ancylostomiasis is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The anticoagulant effects of the hookworm, ancylostoma ceylanicum: observations on human and dog blood in vitro and infected dogs in vivo.

Extracts of adult Ancylostoma ceylanicum prolonged the prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time with kaolin ( PPTK ) of both human and dog plasmas in vitro. Excretory/secretory (E/S) products of these worms had similar effects while larval extract prolonged the PTTK only. Thus, the anticoagulant activities of this parasite are dependent upon the stage of the worm's life cycle. Collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation were inhibited by adult and larval extracts. When the peripheral blood and bleeding times of dogs with varying worm burdens were examined, the only abnormality was shortening of the PTTK in the most heavily infected animals. Homogenates of dog small bowel subjacent to adult hookworms prolonged the PT of dog plasma and electron microscopical examination of this tissue revealed aggregation of platelets in blood venules without fibrin deposition. Thus, this study provides evidence that the anticoagulant properties of hookworms may have biological significance in infected animals.

Ancylostoma↗

Studies on the prevalence of hookworms in the dog's intestine and the pathology of the intestinal wall.

During the period January to April 1977, 34 dogs were autopsied and examined for hookworms in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, A. caninum was found in all 34 dogs (100%), A. ceylanicum in 33 dogs (97.1%) and A. braziliense in 7 dogs (20.6%). The dogs yielded 2,213 ancylostomes, of which 1,188 were A. caninum, 989 A. ceylanicum and only 36 were A. braziliense. All species of hookworms appeared to be more concentrated in the jejunum than in the duodenum or ileum. The lesion produced, proved to be a traumatic injury and was mostly superficial and never reached the submucosa.

Ancylostomiasis↗

Improvement of the merthiolate-iodine-formalin (MIF) fecal technique for hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, and Ascaris lumbricoides eggs.

The merthiolate-iodine-formalin (MIF) technique to detect human intestinal parasites in feces was inefficient for the detection of hookworm and Trichuris trichiura eggs. Addition of a saturated-brine flotation step increased recovery of hookworm eggs by 77% and Trichuris trichiura eggs by 87%. Recovery of Ascaris lumbricoides also was increased by 71%. This was a significant improvement in the sensitivity of the MIF technique for these 3 kinds of human parasite.

Ancylostomatoidea↗

Clinical evaluation of a new anthelmintic - C. 9333 Go./CGP 4540 in human hookworm infection.

A new antihookworm compound, C.9333 Go./CGP 4540, was evaluated clinically in 65 adult patients with hookworm infection. Several dosage schedules were evaluated to determine an effective, well tolerated and convenient regime. The lowest effective dose was 125 mg administered at four-hourly intervals for three doses. The compound was generally well tolerated; mild giddiness was observed in nine patients and severe giddiness was present in one patient. Clinical and biochemical monitoring revealed no other toxicity of the compound.

Ancylostoma↗

The epidemiology and control of hookworm infection in the Burma Valley area of Zimbabwe.

An integrated hookworm control programme, involving mass chemotherapy and improvements in public health, was conducted in the Burma Valley and Vumba areas of Zimbabwe between 1985 and 1990. Three sequential annual mass chemotherapy programmes were implemented. Infection status was monitored annually throughout. Initial observations indicated asymptotic age prevalence and intensity profiles, with peak infection levels in adults. Mass chemotherapy was shown to have immediate and medium term benefits for community health. Reinfection was slow to develop, and average intensity had not returned to pre-intervention levels 39 months after the cessation of chemotherapy. The results support the existence of age-dependency in reinfection. Despite a marked increase in the number of sanitation units, no relationship was found between latrine availability and reinfection intensity on individual farms. This result is consistent with observations that the effect of sanitation is slow to develop, and indicates that repeated anthelmintic intervention should be maintained until sanitation has an impact on transmission.

Adolescent↗

Effect of combining the larval antigens Ancylostoma secreted protein 2 (ASP-2) and metalloprotease 1 (MTP-1) in protecting hamsters against hookworm infection and disease caused by Ancylostoma ceylanicum.

Syrian Golden hamsters were vaccinated with the recombinant fusion proteins Ay-ASP-2 and Ay-MTP-1 from the infective larvae of the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Vaccines comprised each antigen alone or the combination of the two proteins. All vaccinated group developed high antibody titers (>1:40,000); coadministration of a second antigen did not significantly affect the magnitude of the antibody response. Following challenge, hamsters vaccinated with each single antigen exhibited reductions in worm burden (32% and 28% to Ay-ASP-2 and Ay-MTP-1, respectively) and fecal egg counts (56% and 43%, respectively). A vaccine cocktail, containing both antigens further reduced worm burden (36%) and fecal egg counts (59%) (p<0.001). Moreover, vaccination with the antigen cocktail significantly improved hemoglobin values (p=0.01) and body weights (p=0.001) compared to what achieved with either each antigen or adjuvant alone. Taken together, these data suggest that combination of two or more antigens may present an effective vaccine development strategy to improve protection and/or disease symptoms in affected individuals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm.

The three main soil-transmitted helminth infections, ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm, are common clinical disorders in man. The gastrointestinal tract of a child living in poverty in a less developed country is likely to be parasitised with at least one, and in many cases all three soil-transmitted helminths, with resultant impairments in physical, intellectual, and cognitive development. The benzimidazole anthelmintics, mebendazole and albendazole, are commonly used to remove these infections. The use of these drugs is not limited to treatment of symptomatic soil-transmitted helminth infections, but also for large-scale prevention of morbidity in children living in endemic areas. As a result of data showing improvements in child health and education after deworming, and the burden of disease attributed to soil-transmitted helminths, the worldwide community is awakening to the importance of these infections. Concerns about the sustainability of periodic deworming with benzimidazole anthelmintics and the emergence of resistance have prompted efforts to develop and test new control tools.

Animals↗

Enterobius, trichuris, capillaria, and hookworm including ancylostoma caninum.

Infections by the nematodes Enterobius, Trichuris, Capillaria, and hookworm are some of the most widespread gastrointestinal infections worldwide. This article is designed not only to provide an overview of the different parasites in terms of epidemiology, clinical manifestation, and disease but also to highlight particular areas of intensive research activity that are providing new insights into both the biology of the host-parasite relationship and possible new approaches to infection management for the future.

Ancylostoma↗