hookworm disease

hookworm disease n ANCYLOSTOMIASIS

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a condition resulting from an infestation of the small intestine by hookworms. Hookworm larvae live in the soil and infect humans by penetrating the skin. The worms travel to the lungs in the bloodstream and from there pass via the windpipe and gullet to the small intestine. Heavy hookworm infections may cause considerable damage to the wall of the intestine, leading to a serious loss of blood; this, in conjunction with malnutrition, can provoke severe anaemia. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, debility, and mental inertia. The disease occurs throughout the tropics and subtropics and is prevalent in areas of poor personal hygiene and sanitation. Mebendazole is used in treatment.

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1. in humans, infection with hookworms of the genera Ancylostoma and Necator, seen in many hot, humid parts of the world. The larvae live in soil and gain entrance to the digestive tract indirectly through the skin of the feet or legs or directly in contaminated food or water. The skin infection is transitory and is known as ground itch. Parasites are then carried by the blood to the lungs, ascend the trachea, are swallowed, and settle in the small intestine, where they attach to the mucosa and ingest blood. Symptoms, varying with severity of infection, may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea, with anemia if infections are moderate or severe. See also ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis. 2. in mammals other than humans, infestation of the intestines with any of various hookworms. Dogs and cats are usually infested by Ancylostoma or Uncinaria, and cattle and sheep by Bunostomum. See also ancylostomiasis, bunostomiasis, and uncinariasis.