ANCYLOSTOMIASIS

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Another name is hookworm.

CAUSATIVE AGENT
Ancylostomiasis is caused by Ancylostoma duodenale and Nectar Americans.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION
They penetrate the skin when they get contact.



LIFE CYCLE
  • The organisms live in the jejenum of the small intestines.
  • The females lay eggs which are passed through the faeces.
  • The eggs hatch to form rhabditiform larvae in the soil.
  • The rhabditiform can survive in moist soil for weeks to months where they grow into the infective larvae called filariform.
  • When there is skin contact, the filariform bore through the intact skin of man.
  • It then moves to the bloodstream, through the lymphatic system, then the liver through the portal circulation, finally the lungs.
  • They migrate up the cilia to the epiglottis where they are being swallowed into the gastrointestinal tract.
  • They stay in the small intestines and live there as adult worms.
  • The cycle begins again. 
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 
  • Dermatitis at the site of penetration.
  • Malnutrition
  • Anorexia
  • Fatigue
  • Stunted growth in children
  • Cough/ Hemoptysis
  • Diarrhoea
  • Convulsion
  • Dyspnoea
  • Soft and tarry stools
DIAGNOSIS
  • Stool examination for presence of eggs. 
  • WBC for eisinophilia
MANAGEMENT
  • Mebendazole
  • Piperazine
PREVENTION 
  1. Prevent indiscriominate defecation.
  2. Wear shoes anytime having contact with the ground.
  3. Do not walk barefooted in known infected areas.
  4. Do not use human excreta/ untreated "night soil"/ raw sewage as manure/ fertilizer. 

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