| Disease/Syndrome |
Hookworm disease |
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| Category |
Infection, Occupational |
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| Acute/Chronic |
Chronic |
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| Synonyms |
Ancylostomiasis; Uncinariasis; Necatoriasis; Necator americanus infection; Ancylostoma duodenale infection; Cutaneous larva migrans (Ancylostoma braziliense); Eosinophilic enteritis (Ancylostoma caninum); |
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| Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
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| Comments |
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Hookworm disease, an intestinal nematode infection, is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas lacking adequate sanitary disposal of human wastes. The disease affects 1/4 of the world's population and is a significant cause of iron-deficient anemia and malnutrition. Larvae in soil are infective for several weeks. Larvae infect by penetrating the skin, usually the feet. Wearing shoes prevents infections by N. americanus, but not all infections by A. duodenale, which can infect by ingestion. Humans are the only reservoirs for both species of hookworm; therefore, effective sanitation will prevent infections. FINDINGS: The degree of anemia reflects the severity of infection. Patients with heavy infections may have diarrhea, epigastric ulcer-like pain, and stool positive for occult blood. During the lung-migration phase, larvae invade the lungs and may cause transient tracheitis with coughing, wheezing, fever, and blood-tinged sputum. Marked eosinophilia is associated with larval migration. Otherwise, eosinophilia is low or absent. A rash, "ground itch," may appear at the site of the penetrating larvae. Urticaria may be seen during the lung-migration phase. Other findings that sometimes occur: constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, and pneumonia. RELATED INFECTIONS: Larvae of dog and cat hookworms, A. braziliense, are the source of cutaneous larva migrans. Cutaneous larva migrans appears as a pruritic, serpiginous shaped lesion of the skin. At increased risk are utility men and gardeners exposed to damp sandy soil contaminated with dog and cat feces. Itching is more intense at night. Thiabendazole is effective as a topical ointment. A. caninum may infect the small intestine and cause eosinophilia (eosinophilic enteritis). [ID, p. 1533, 2375; Guerrant, p. 1265-71, 1482, 1505; CCDM, p. 276-9, 537-8; Current Consult, p. 498; PPID, p. 3264] |
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| Latency/Incubation |
A few weeks to many months for symptoms to develop; |
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| Diagnostic |
Microscopic exam of feces; Concentration techniques may be needed to detect very light infections. [PPID, p. 3264] |
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| ICD-9 Code |
126 |
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| Effective Antimicrobics |
Yes |
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| Scope |
Tropical and subtropical regions with rainfall >40 inches/year and several months of warm weather; |
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| Reference Link |
CDC - Hookworm Infection |
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| Related Information in Haz-Map |
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| Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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| Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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