NAME: Ancylostoma duodenale (and Ancylostoma caninum)
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Hookworm disease, ancylostomiasis, ground itch
CHARACTERISTICS: Intestinal nematode; adult hookworms are small cylindrical and creamy-white; males measure 8-11 mm in length and 0.45 mm width, females are 10-13 mm long, 0.60 mm wide; eggs are 50-60 µm long and 35-40 µm wide; head continues in same direction as curvature of body
PATHOGENICITY: Clinical features correspond mainly to the intensity of infection; heavy infection leads to development of iron deficiency, hypochromic, microcytic anemia; cardiac complications may occur; children with heavy, long-term infection can develop hypoproteinemia; severe acute pulmonary and GI reaction can occasionally result following exposure to infective larvae
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide distribution; widely endemic in tropical and subtropical countries where improper disposal of human faeces is practiced; common in north Africa, northern India, northern parts of the Far East and the Andean region of South America
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Orally or percutaneously (transmitted by fecal contamination of the soil - infective larvae penetrate the skin, usually the foot)
INCUBATION PERIOD: Varies from a few weeks to many months; depends on infectious load
COMMUNICABILITY: Not known
RESERVOIR: Humans, dogs
ZOONOSIS: Dogs (A. caninum)
VECTORS: None
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to albendazole, mebendazole, pyrantel pamoate, bephenium hydroxynphthoate
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1 % sodium hypochorite, 2% glutaraldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Larvae sensitive to desiccation and freezing
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Can survive weeks to several months in warm, damp soil; temperatures from 26.7-32.2°C are optimal for larval development
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by microscopic demonstration of eggs in stools
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer appropriate drug therapy, iron supplements if anemia severe
IMMUNIZATION: Vaccine(s) in development
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Faeces
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion; droplet exposure of the mucous membranes; accidental inoculation
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving infective stages of the parasite, infectious or potentially infectious body fluids or tissues
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious material is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
Date prepared: November 1999
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Health Canada, 2001