Clinical features: Ancylostomiasis (Hookworm disease) is caused by parasitization of the small intestine with Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus. It is one of the main causes of anaemia in the tropics which is also the major clinical feature.
The majority of patients are asymptomatic. However, in Hookworm disease the major clinical manifestations are iron deficiency anaemia and hypoalbuminemia.
Treatment guidelines
Drug of choice |
Mebendazole (O) |
Adult and Children over 2 years |
100 mg every 12 hours for 3 days. |
Second choice |
Pyrantel (O) |
Adult and Children over 2 years |
10 mg/kg body weight as a single dose for light infections. |
| |
Or |
| |
10 mg/kg body weight as a single dose daily for 3 days for heavy infections. |
Children below 2 years |
10 mg/kg body weight as single dose |
