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Helminth Infections
Hookworm Infection
Hookworms are a very important parasite of humans. Hooksworms exhibit a direct lifecycle in which infective larvae living in fecally contaminated soil, penetrate the skin of the host. Infection usually occurs as a result of bare feet coming in contact with fecally contaminated soil. After penetrating the skin, the larvae gain entry into the circulatory system. They undergo a migration through the lungs and eventually end up in the small intestine. Hookworms feed on blood by severing intestinal blood vessels with their cutting plates or teeth depending on species. The species infecting humans are Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. Hookworm infection often leads to severe anemia. Worldwide 1.3 billion people are infected with hookworms, leading directly to 65,000 deaths per year.
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