Nature of
the disease
the disease
Ankylostomiasis is a hookworm disease caused by infection with ancylostoma hookworms. Ankylostomiasis
is also known as miner’s anaemia,
tunnel disease, brickmaker’s anaemia and Egyptian chlorosis. Helminthiasis may also refer to ancylostomiasis, but this
term also refers to all other parasitic worm diseases as well.
is also known as miner’s anaemia,
tunnel disease, brickmaker’s anaemia and Egyptian chlorosis. Helminthiasis may also refer to ancylostomiasis, but this
term also refers to all other parasitic worm diseases as well.
Causative agent of ankylostomiasis
Ankylostomiasis is caused when hookworms, present in large
numbers which produce iron deficiency anaemia by sucking blood from the host’s intestinal walls.
numbers which produce iron deficiency anaemia by sucking blood from the host’s intestinal walls.
Clinical features of ankylostomiasis
Clinical features of
ankylostomiasis include
intestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and anaemia.
ankylostomiasis include
intestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and anaemia.
Signs and symptoms of ankylostomiasis
Ankylostomiasis
often do not present any symptom at the early stage. However, rash, itching and
larva migrations may develop at the site of larval penetration, usually on the
feet. Migration of large numbers of larvae through the lungs occasionally
causes Löffler syndrome, with cough, and wheezing. During the acute phase,
adult worms in the intestine may cause stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea, and
weight loss.
often do not present any symptom at the early stage. However, rash, itching and
larva migrations may develop at the site of larval penetration, usually on the
feet. Migration of large numbers of larvae through the lungs occasionally
causes Löffler syndrome, with cough, and wheezing. During the acute phase,
adult worms in the intestine may cause stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea, and
weight loss.
Chronic
infection can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, causing weakness, edema, severe
anaemia, heart failure, and in pregnant women, to growth retardation in the foetus.
infection can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, causing weakness, edema, severe
anaemia, heart failure, and in pregnant women, to growth retardation in the foetus.
Diagnosis of ankylostomiasis
Ankylostomiasis is
diagnosed through microscopic examination of stool for oval eggs in
fresh stool. If the stool is not kept cold and examined within several hours,
the eggs may hatch and release larvae.
diagnosed through microscopic examination of stool for oval eggs in
fresh stool. If the stool is not kept cold and examined within several hours,
the eggs may hatch and release larvae.
Incubation period for ankylostomiasis
Ankylostomiasis has an
incubation period of 1 to 3 weeks.
incubation period of 1 to 3 weeks.
Treatment for ankylostomiasis
Ankylostomiasis is
treated with albendazole
or mebendazole. Albendazole 400 mg as a
single dose or mebendazole 100 mg for 3
days or 500 mg as a single dose is given. General support and correction of
iron deficiency anemia are needed if infection is heavy.
treated with albendazole
or mebendazole. Albendazole 400 mg as a
single dose or mebendazole 100 mg for 3
days or 500 mg as a single dose is given. General support and correction of
iron deficiency anemia are needed if infection is heavy.
Prevention of ankylostomiasis
Ankylostomiasis is
prevented by preventing unhygienic defecation and avoiding
direct skin contact with the soil (e.g. wearing shoes, using barriers when
seated on the ground) are effective in preventing infection but difficult to
implement in many endemic areas.
prevented by preventing unhygienic defecation and avoiding
direct skin contact with the soil (e.g. wearing shoes, using barriers when
seated on the ground) are effective in preventing infection but difficult to
implement in many endemic areas.
