References:
- Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Online Network: Infectious Diseases of the Philippines, 2013 eBook Edition, ISBN 978-1-61755-582-4, by Stephen Berger. Accessed here.
| Agent | PARASITE - Nematoda. Phasmidea: Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, A. ceylonicum (in Calcutta and the Philippines) |
| Reservoir | Human |
| Vector | None |
| Vehicle | Soil Contact |
| Incubation Period | 7 days to 2 years |
| Diagnostic Tests | Examination of stool for ova |
| Typical Adult Therapy | Albendazole 400 mg X 1 dose. OR Mebendazole 100 mg BID X 3d. OR Pyrantel pamoate 11 mg/kg (max 3g) X 3d; or |
| Typical Pediatric Therapy | As for adult |
| Clinical Hints | Pruritic papules (usually of feet) - later cough and wheezing; abdominal pain and progressive iron-deficiency anemia; eosinophilia common; dyspnea and peripheral edema in heavy infections; Ancylostoma caninum implicated in eosinophilic enteritis. |
| Synonyms | Anchilostoma, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostomiasis, Anquilostomiasis, Cyclodontostomum, Eosinophilis enteritis, Hakenwurmer-Befall, Miner’s anemia, Necator americanus, Necatoriasis, Uncinariasis. |
Initial manifestations of hookworm consist of pruritus, erythema, and a papular, or vesicular rash at the site of larval penetration (“ground itch”).
- Migration of larvae through the lungs may result in a Loeffler-like syndrome with transitory cough, wheezing, diffuse opacities on x-ray and eosinophilia in sputum and blood.
- Migration of A. duodenale larvae to the breast, with infection of nursing infants (‘hypobiosis’) has been described.
- The major finding in overt infection is iron-deficiency anemia.
- Heavy intestinal infection may also produce local symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and occasionally malabsorption with weight loss (most commonly in children).
- Rare instances of overt bleeding or melena have been reported.