High prevalence of Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworm infections in humans, Cambodia, 2012

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Tawin Inpankaew
  • Fabian Schär
  • Dalsgaard, Anders
  • Virak Khieu
  • Wissanuwat Chimnoi
  • Chamnan Chhoun
  • Daream Sok
  • Hanspeter Marti
  • Sinuon Muth
  • Peter Odermatt
  • Rebecca J. Traub

Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a hookworm of canids and felids in Asia, is becoming the second most common hookworm infecting humans. In 2012, we investigated the prevalence and infection dynamics of and risk factors for hookworm infections in humans and dogs in a rural Cambodian village. Over 57% of the population was infected with hookworms; of those, 52% harbored A. ceylanicum hookworms. The greatest intensities of A. ceylanicum eggs were in persons 21-30 years of age. Over 90% of dogs also harbored A. ceylanicum hookworms. Characterization of the cytochrome oxidase-1 gene divided isolates of A. ceylanicum hookworms into 2 groups, 1 containing isolates from humans only and the other a mix of isolates from humans and animals. We hypothesize that preventative chemotherapy in the absence of concurrent hygiene and animal health programs may be a factor leading to emergence of A. ceylanicum infections; thus, we advocate for a One Health approach to control this zoonosis.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases (Online)
Volume20
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)976-982
Number of pages7
ISSN1080-6059
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

ID: 123673789