Hookworm Disease

Abstract

Human hookworm infection is a significant public health problem in the less developed countries and the developing countries. This disease is spreading in tropical and sub-tropical area. Human infection is caused by Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator  americanus. Globally, an estimated 600-740 million people are infected. In Thailand, N. americanus  is the most common infections, especially in the southern region. The major clinical manifestations of hookworm infection is iron-deficiency anemia which may result in mental retardation, growth deficiencies, loss of cognition and development.  Moreover, the zoonosis hookworm infected by A. braziliense, A. caninum and A. ceylanicum can cause cutaneous larva migrans and eosinophilic enteritis. Traditionally, the diagnosis of hookworm infection has been based on the microscopic examination, but recently molecular technique has been developed to differentially identify hookworm species. The effective prevention and control strategies of hookworm infection need to promote awareness of parasitic disease, mode of transmission, sanitation and chemotherapy. Moreover, recent development of vaccine against hookworm may be an alternative strategy for a better tool for the control of hookworm infection.