Nematode - Necator americanus

Necator americanus

Necator americanus*: – Adult worms have hook-like mouth parts that latch onto the intestinal mucosa and suck blood from the host. – Thus, infection can cause anemia, gastrointestinal problems, and developmental impairment, as the worms steal blood and nutrients from the host. – Secondary bacterial infections are more likely in hookworm infections due to the wounds caused by the "hooks."

Life cycle:

Filariform larvae (infective form) penetrate skin (can cause a rash here).
Enter bloodstream.
Travel to lungs; may cause pneumonitis and eosinophilia.
Coughed and swallowed.
Transitions to adult form in small intestine.
Lays up to 20 thousand eggs per day; these are released in the feces.
Eggs hatch, release rhabditiform larvae that will transition to filariform larvae and infect new hosts.

Clinical:

– Adult worms have hook-like mouth parts that latch onto the intestinal mucosa and suck blood from the host. – Thus, infection can cause anemia, gastrointestinal problems, and developmental impairment, as the worms steal blood and nutrients from the host. – Secondary bacterial infections are more likely in hookworm infections due to the wounds caused by the "hooks."

Nematode - Necator americanus

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