Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma)

Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) – General Information

The Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) is due to the contamination of the humans with hookworms. A hookworm is a parasitic nematode worm which lives usually in the small intestine of the host. There are two species of hookworms which infest humans and produce Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma): Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. As its name says the Necator Americanus it is usually encountered in the USA and also in China, Asia, Africa and Indonesia. The Ancylostoma duodenale is usually encountered India, Middle East and also in Europe. Doctors have identified that there are three pathological phases of the Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma). The first phase, also called the cutaneous/invasive phase is when the larvae of these worms penetrate the skin searching for a blood capillary. If these worms do not find a blood capillary they can lead to a skin medical problem known as cutaneous larva migraines, causing irritation and itching. The second phase also known as the pulmonary phase is the period when the larvae of the hookworm migrate from the blood capillaries into the lungs in the alveolar area. These migrations can lead to a local hemorrhaging in that area. The patients usually are asymptomatic in this phase, except the cases when there is a heavy infestation which can lead to cough, sore throat and even pneumonia. The third phase also known as the intestinal phase is the period when the worms reach the small intestine causing the infection of the anterior third of the intestine (only in infection which are heavy they infest the whole intestine).

Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) – Symptoms

It is well known the fact that any medical disorder (including Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma)) can trigger a variety of symptoms. Therefore, some of this medical condition's most uncommon symptoms have not been listed (mentioned) here. This is why we strongly recommend you to contact your personal health care provider whenever you develop any unusual, bothersome or unpleasant symptoms. Your personal physician will be able to tell you if you are suffering from Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) or from any other medical disorder. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that a person who suffers from Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma), may experience. The patients who are suffering from this medical condition are in most of the cases asymptomatic, but the chronic infection can lead to hypochromic microcytic anemia (this disease is usually encountered in people who live in the tropical areas or in the developing countries). The people who have heavy infections can develop hypoproteinuria which is usually accompanied by edema. The chronic infections which develop in children usually lead to physical growth delays, development delays and also to deficits in cognition. This infection may be caused by direct contact with contaminated soil and this is usually done with the feet, this is why the patients may experience stinging or burning sensations which in most of the cases lead to pruritus or papulovesicular rash which can persist for about two or three weeks. The pneumonia which may develop in such cases is usually mild, except the pneumonia which appears in the persons who have heavy infections.

Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) – Treatment

In order to establish a diagnostic the doctor usually tries to find the worm eggs during a microscopic examination of the stools. Unfortunately these microscopic examinations are not possible in the early stages of the Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma). The eggs of the Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) are indistinguishable and this is why it is important for the stool which is send to the laboratory to be left for a day in order for the larvae to hatch in order for the doctors to be able to identify the genus. It is important to distinguish the hookworm from the Strongyloides larvae because the second infection has much more serious implications and the treatment for it differs from the first medical condition.

The Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma) is usually treated with local cryotherapy in the first stage, when the larvae are still under the skin. The cryotherapy (also known as cryosurgery) is a term used to define more medical procedures. Cryotherapy is the local or in some cases general use of low temperatures in the medical treatments in order to remove a body part, to decrease an inflammation or to minimize the cellular metabolism. We intend to present you in this chapter the most recommended medications for the patients who are suffering from Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma).

Albendazole – this drug is effective only in the first two stages of the Hookworm Infection (Necator or Ancylostoma). Pyrantel is an antihelminitic (or anti-worm) drug which stops the worms from developing and multiplying in the patient’s body. This drug may also be used for other purposes at the doctor’s recommendation. Pyrantel may have side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, abdominal cramps or rash. If a patient has other side-effects than these he must see the doctor immediately. Ascarel is an antihelminitic (or anti-worm) drug which stops the worms from developing and multiplying in the patient’s body. This medication has the same side-effects as Pyrantel. Mintezol is also an antihelminitic medicine, which is used to treat the worm infections. The patients should not take this medicine if they are allergic to any of the components of this medicine, this drug should not be taken also by pregnant women, breast-feeding women, by the persons who have kidney problems, or liver problems or by the persons who have anemia. Vermox is an antihelminitic (or anti-worm) drug which stops the worms from developing and multiplying in the patient’s body. This drug may have the following side effects swelling of the face, lips or tongue, shortness of breath, closing the breath. If the patients experience other side-effects than the ones listed above they should seek for medical assistance. If the patients have fever, diarrhea or abdominal pain they can continue taking the drug, but only after consulting a doctor. In the patients who are also suffering from anemia the doctor may recommend iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements which can relieve the symptoms of the iron deficiency.