Project name: Necator americanus

Description: Necator americanus causes Hookworm disease in humans. Its distribution is widespread, occurring in most warm-temperate regions and, together with Ancylostoma duodenale, it accounts for close to one billion hookworm infections in humans. As do most hookworms, N. americanus infects its host by penetrating skin. Once inside the host, the adult hookworms attaches to the small intestine mucosa via teeth or cutting plates and feeds on host mucosa and blood, frequently leading to anemia. Female worms produce eggs which will pass out in host faeces to embryonate in the soil.

Last updated: 2007-08-09