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Hookworm infection
Hookworm disease; Ground itch; Ancylostoma duodenale infection; Necator americanus infection; Parasitic infection - hookworm
Hookworm infection is caused by roundworms. The disease affects the small intestine and lungs.
Causes
The infection is caused by infestation with any of the following roundworms:
- Necator americanus
- Ancylostoma duodenale
- Ancylostoma ceylanicum
- Ancylostoma braziliense
The first 2 roundworms affect humans only. The last 2 types also occur in animals.
Hookworm disease is common in the moist tropics and subtropics. In developing nations, the disease leads to the death of many children by increasing their risk for infections that their bodies would normally fight off.
There is very little risk of getting the disease in the United States because of advances in sanitation and waste control. The important factor in getting the disease is walking barefoot on ground where there are feces of people who have hookworm.
The larvae (immature form of the worm) enter the skin. The larvae move to the lungs via the bloodstream and enter the airways. The worms are about one half inch (1 centimeter) long.
After traveling up the windpipe, the larvae are swallowed. After the larvae are swallowed, they infect the small intestine. They develop into adult worms and live there for 1 or more years. The worms attach to the intestinal wall and suck blood, which results in iron deficiency anemia and protein loss. Adult worms and larvae are released in the feces.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Cough
- Diarrhea
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Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.
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- Gas
- Itchy rash
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Loss of appetite
Loss of appetite
A decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.
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Pale skin
Pale skin
Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.
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Most people have no symptoms once the worms enter the intestines.
Exams and Tests
Tests that can help diagnose the infection include:
-
Complete blood count
(CBC) with differential
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...
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Stool ova and parasites exam
Stool ova and parasites exam
Stool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...
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Treatment
The goals of treatment are to:
- Cure the infection
- Treat complications of anemia
- Improve nutrition
Parasite-killing drugs such as albendazole, mebendazole, or pyrantel pamoate are often prescribed.
Symptoms and complications of anemia are treated, if needed. The health care provider will likely recommend increasing the amount of protein in your diet .
Protein in your diet
Proteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the human body contains protein. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. ...
Outlook (Prognosis)
You will have a complete recovery if you get treated before serious complications develop. Treatment gets rid of the infection.
Possible Complications
Health problems that may result from hookworm infection include:
-
Iron deficiency anemia
, caused by loss of blood
Iron deficiency anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are man...
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Severe protein loss with fluid buildup in the abdomen (
ascites
)
Ascites
Ascites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your provider if symptoms of hookworm infection develop.
Prevention
Handwashing and wearing shoes will reduce the likelihood of infection.
References
Diemert DJ. Intestinal nematode infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 357.
Hotez PJ. Hookworms ( Necator americanus and Angylostoma spp.). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 292.
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Hookworm - mouth of the organism - illustration
Necator americanus
Hookworm - mouth of the organism
illustration
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Hookworm - close-up of the organism - illustration
Ancyclostoma duodenale
Hookworm - close-up of the organism
illustration
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Hookworm - Ancylostoma caninum - illustration
This is a photograph of a hookworm on the lining of the intestine. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Hookworm - Ancylostoma caninum
illustration
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Hookworm egg - illustration
This is a hookworm egg. Hookworms hatch in damp vegetation. Their larvae can enter the human body through the skin, even without cuts or abrasions. Once through the skin, they begin the next step of their life cycle.
Hookworm egg
illustration
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Hookworm rhabditiform larva - illustration
The larva of a hookworm is visible in the center of this photograph.
Hookworm rhabditiform larva
illustration
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Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
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Hookworm - mouth of the organism - illustration
Necator americanus
Hookworm - mouth of the organism
illustration
-
Hookworm - close-up of the organism - illustration
Ancyclostoma duodenale
Hookworm - close-up of the organism
illustration
-
Hookworm - Ancylostoma caninum - illustration
This is a photograph of a hookworm on the lining of the intestine. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Hookworm - Ancylostoma caninum
illustration
-
Hookworm egg - illustration
This is a hookworm egg. Hookworms hatch in damp vegetation. Their larvae can enter the human body through the skin, even without cuts or abrasions. Once through the skin, they begin the next step of their life cycle.
Hookworm egg
illustration
-
Hookworm rhabditiform larva - illustration
The larva of a hookworm is visible in the center of this photograph.
Hookworm rhabditiform larva
illustration
-
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Review Date: 9/10/2015
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
