Ancylostoma Health Dictionary

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Ancylostoma: From 1 Different Sources

(Ankylostoma) n. a genus of small parasitic nematodes (see hookworm) that inhabit the small intestine and are widely distributed in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. The worms suck blood from the gut wall, to which they are attached by means of cutting teeth. Humans are the principal and optimum hosts for A. duodenale.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Ancylostomiasis

A parasitic infection caused by the nematodes Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus, resulting in hookworm disease. These infections are exceedingly common in tropical and developing countries, millions of people being affected. Classically, A. duodenale occurred in the Far East, Mediterranean littoral, and Middle East, and N. americanus in tropical Africa, Central and South America, and the Far East; however, in recent years, geographical separation of the two human species is less distinct. In areas where standards of hygiene and sanitation are unsatisfactory, larvae (embryos) enter via intact skin, usually the feet. ‘Ground itch’ occasionally occurs as larvae enter the body. They then undergo a complex life-cycle, migrating through the lungs, trachea, and pharynx. Adult worms are 5–13 (mean 12) mm in length; their normal habitat is the small INTESTINE – especially the jejunum – where they adhere to the mucosa by hooks, thus causing seepage of blood into the lumen. A worm-pair produces large numbers of eggs, which are excreted in faeces; when deposited on moist soil they remain viable for many weeks or months. Clinical manifestations include microcytic hypochromic ANAEMIA, hypoalbuminaemia (low serum protein) and, in a severe case, OEDEMA. A chronic infection in childhood can give rise to physical, mental and sexual retardation. Treatment is with one of the benzimidazole compounds, usually mebendazole or albendazole; however, in developing countries, cheaper preparations are used, including tetrachloroethylene, bephenium hydroxynaphthoate, and pyrantel embonate. Anaemia usually responds to iron supplements; blood transfusion is rarely indicated.

Ancylostoma braziliensis A nematode infection of dogs, which in humans causes local disease (larva migrans) only, generally on the soles of the feet. It is usually acquired by walking on beaches contaminated with dog faeces in places such as the Caribbean.... ancylostomiasis

Hookworm

Ancylostomiasis. Infestation of the small intestine with tiny worms (Ancylostoma duodenale). Common in children from hot, damp earth in which larvae thrives. Worms enter feet via the skin and are borne to lungs and intestine. Prolonged infestation leads to anaemia and retarded development in children.

In the 1860s Thymol was the important medicine, but was later superceded by Chenopodium (oil of American Wormseed) as an anthelmintic for expulsion of hookworms.

Should be supervised by a practitioner.

Patient to receive a light meal at night followed next morning by the oil in a capsule: 6-8 years, 6 drops; 9-10 years, 8 drops; 11-16 years, 10-12 drops; over 16 years, 12-16 drops. Dose is repeated two hours later. Two hours afterwards, give Senna purgative. No food should be taken until after bowel movement. Repeat procedure after one week. Less drastic treatments are available, but for the intractible stubborn hookworm desperate measures are sometimes called for. ... hookworm

Buccal Capsule

The thickening of the cuticular lining of buccal cavity; buccal capsule may be large, small, vestigial or absent. In some nematodes, the cuticle lining within the buccal capsule may be modified to be chitinous teeth or cutting plates as in Ancylostomatidae or a stylet as in Trichinelloidea.... buccal capsule

Bursa

An umbrella-like expansion of the cuticle at the posterior end of some male nematodes as in Ancylostomatidae and Metastrongylidae. The bursa is supported by elongated stalks called “rays”. The shape and size of the bursa and the arrangement and size of the rays are used for identification of the nematodes... bursa

Cutaneous Larva Migrans

A cutaneous eruption resulting from exposure of the skin the infective filariform larva of non-human hookworms, Ancylostoma braziliense, A. caninum and some Strongyloides spp (especially S. procyormis of the raccoon and S. myopotami of the nutria).... cutaneous larva migrans

Necator Americanus

A hookworm, closely resembling but smaller than the Ancylostoma duodenale. (See ANCYLOSTOMIASIS.)... necator americanus

Strongyliform

A short buccal muscular structure with waist found in nematodes, such as Ancylostomatidae.... strongyliform

Ankylostoma

n. see Ancylostoma.... ankylostoma

Creeping Eruption

(larva migrans) a skin disease caused either by larvae of certain nematode worms (e.g. Ancylostoma braziliense) normally parasitic in dogs and cats or by the maggots of certain flies (see Hypoderma; Gasterophilus). The larvae burrow within the skin tissues, their movements marked by long thin red lines that cause the patient intense irritation. The nematode infections are treated with albendazole, ivermectin, or tiabendazole; maggots can be surgically removed.... creeping eruption

Necator

n. a genus of *hookworms that live in the small intestine. The human hookworm, N. americanus, occurs in tropical Africa, Central and South America, India, and the Pacific Islands. The worm possesses two pairs of sharp cutting plates inside its mouth cavity, which enable it to feed on the blood and tissues of the gut wall. Compare Ancylostoma.... necator

Hookworm Infestation

An infestation of the small intestine by small, round, blood-sucking worms of the NECATOR AMERICANUS or ANCYLOSTOMA DUODENALE species. Hookworm infestation occurs mainly in the tropics.

The larvae penetrate the skin of the feet or are ingested. They migrate throughout the body and mature in the small intestine. Adult worms lay eggs, which pass out in the faeces.

When larvae penetrate the skin, a red, itchy rash may develop on the feet. In light infestations, there may be no further symptoms. In heavier infestations, migration of the larvae through the lungs may produce cough and pneumonia; adult worms in the intestines may cause abdominal discomfort. The most important problem is iron-deficiency anaemia due to loss of blood.

Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the faeces for worm eggs. Anthelmintic drugs kill the worms. (See also larva migrans.)... hookworm infestation


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