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USAID's NTD Program
USAID's NTD Program

Hookworm

Diagnostic

In general, CLM is clinically diagnosed.

Hookworm infection definitive diagnostic is established by identifying hookworm eggs in feces under light microscopy. Quantitative methods of egg count (eg. Kato-Katz) can be used to provide information on the intensity of infection.1

In the case of humans infected by some animal hookworms, negative fecal examination are often found. In those cases, definitive diagnostic is based on the identification of parasite by endoscopy.2

Treatment, Prevention, and Control

 

Photo of a bottle of tablets.  
   

Regiments with mebendazole and albendazole are currently the treatment of choice for adult hookworms. Hookworm infection is treated with a single dose of 500 mg of mebendazole or 100 mg of mebendazole twice a day for three consecutive days. Albendazole is given at a single dose of 400 mg.1,4 Associated-iron deficiency anemia should be detected and treated adequately.5

Hookworm infection control is achieved through the sanitary disposal of feces and educational campaigns about the proper use of latrines.6 In terms of treatment, the most cost-effective way to control hookworm infection has been through population-wide treatment with either albendazole or mebendazole.1 However, both children and adults usually become reinfected within a few months after deparasitation, which implies repeated and frequent use of the drugs, and there is concern that heavy and exclusive reliance on albendazole and mebendazole might lead to drug resistance. A safe and cost-effective vaccine would provide an important new tool for the control of hookworm infection.3

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References

  1. World Health Organization: Prevention and control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Report of a WHO expert committee, WHO Technical Report Series 912. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2002.
  2. Jelinek T, Maiwald H, Nothdurft HD, et al: Cutaneous larva migrants in travelers: Synopsis of histories, symptoms, and treatment of 98 patients. Clin Infect Dis. 19:1062-1066, 1994.
  3. Hotez PJ, Zhan B, Bethony JM, et al: Progress in the development of a recombinant vaccine initiative for human hookworm disease: The human hookworm vaccine initiative. Int J Parasitol. 33:1,245-1,258, 2003.
  4. Drugs for parasitic infections: Medical letter. April 2004.
  5. Stephenson LS, latham MC, Kinoti SN, et al: Improvements in physical fitness of Kenyan school boys infected with hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, ascaris lumbricoides following a single dose of albendazole. Trans RSoc Trop Med Hyg. 84:277-282, 1990.
  6. Albonico M: Methods to sustain drug efficacy in helminth control programs. Acta Tropica. 86:233-242, 2003.