Ancylostoma braziliense

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Ancylostoma braziliense
Ancylostoma braziliense mouth parts CDC PHIL ID1375.jpg
Ancylostoma braziliense, mouth parts
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Chromadorea
Order: Rhabditida
Family: Ancylostomatidae
Genus: Ancylostoma
Species:
A. braziliense
Binomial name
Ancylostoma braziliense
Gomes de Faria 1910

Ancylostoma braziliense is a species of hookworm belonging to the genus Ancylostoma . It is an intestinal parasite of domestic cats and dogs. Severe infection is often fatal to these pets, especially in puppies and kittens. The infection is particularly endemic in the southern United States. It is most often confused with the zoonotic hookworm species Ancylostoma ceylanicum because of their uncanny resemblance. [1]

Contents

Ancyclostoma braziliense larvae can cause accidental infection in humans called cutaneous larval migration or creeping eruption, which produces severe itching in the skin. It is the most common skin infection in tropical region, particularly along the beaches of the Caribbean. [2] [3]

Discovery and history

When A. braziliense was described by Gomes de Faria in 1910, and A. ceylanicum by Arthur Looss in 1911, the two species were regarded as synonymous because of their apparent similarities in almost all respect. Especially in 1913, comparison of specimens from human, dog, cat and lion infections in India led to the conclusion that they were definitely of the same species. In 1915 Gomes de Faria realised that the two were distinct species based on their anatomical structures. Till 1921 the two hookworms were accepted as a two valid species. However, in 1922 Gordon made an exhaustive comparison from specimens collected in Brazil, South Africa and India, and his conclusion was that there were no significant distinction. Other parasitologists were also convinced of this so that the two names were again considered synonymous. In 1951 Biocca made an elaborate study on different hookworms in the collection of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and personal collections. He finally identified the defining characters between the two for classifying them as distinct species, which eventually gained general acceptance. [4]

Distribution

A. braziliense is endemic in the southern United States. It is also found in a number of subtropical regions around the world, including Central and South America, South Africa, [5] and southern Asia. In southern Asia, infection is confined to Indonesia, Borneo, and Malaysia. [1]

Physical description

Like many other worms, the female worm is larger than the male. Also, the females are more difficult to distinguish because the teeth sizes appear very similar among the various species of Ancylostoma. Male worms, however, have two broad lateral lobes and a smaller dorsal lobe with rays on the copulatory bursa. These bursal rays' aids in distinguishing the different species of Ancylostoma. [6]

Life cycle

Ancylostoma braziliense eggs are passed into the environment through the faeces of cats and dogs. The eggs incubate on warm, moist soil, where they hatch into larvae. The infective juvenile penetrate the skin of the host. At this stage, the larvae are present in the epidermis, hair follicles, and glands of the skin, sometimes extending to sebaceous glands where they form coils. Then they migrate to the heart and lung by moving along the blood circulation. In the lungs, the juveniles enter the alveoli and are propelled by cilia up the respiratory tract. From this, the host swallow them and deposit them in the small intestine. They get attached to the intestinal mucosa via the buccal capsule. Here they undergo two successive molts to become sexually mature individuals. [1]

Etymology

Etymology:Ancylo = curved + stoma = mouth; braziliense for the geographical location where the worms were first found. [7]

Pathology

It can cause "creeping eruption" or "ground itch". [8] [9] It occurs when the larvae from the faeces of cats and dogs accidentally penetrate the human skin, causing severe itching and skin eruption. It is the most common ailment of tropically acquired dermatitis, particularly along the beaches of the Caribbean. However, humans are not the natural definitive hosts, and are therefore a dead-end for the parasites. In humans, the larvae die after few months without further development. [10]

Symptoms

Ancylostoma braziliense is a parasite that infects cats and dogs and occasionally humans. And, they survive by eating blood from the intestine of cats and dogs, causing anemia. Pale gums and weakness are common signs of anemia. The infected animals also experience significant weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and are not able to grow up to their right size. Other symptoms like, skin irritation and itching is also caused by the larvae burrowing into the skin. [11]

Diagnosis and treatment

A. braziliense is difficult to differentiate from other hookworms. Microscopic examination of scatological samples can identify the eggs as they are generally smaller than those of other species. [12]

Most benzimidazoles are effective. Mebendazole, triclabendazole and fenbendazole are commonly used. Ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate are also effective. The combination of ivermectin 6 μg/kg and pyrantel pamoate at 5.0 mg/kg is 100% efficacious against adult worms in dogs. [13] Human infection in case of cutaneous larva migrans is treated with oral thiabendazole at 500 mg in 4 daily dose. [14]

Related Research Articles

Parasitic disease Medical condition

A parasitic disease, also known as parasitosis, is an infectious disease caused or transmitted by a parasite. Many parasites do not cause diseases as it may eventually lead to death of both organism and host. Parasites infecting human beings are called human parasites. Parasitic diseases can affect practically all living organisms, including plants and mammals. The study of parasitic diseases is called parasitology.

Toxocariasis Illness of humans caused by larvae of the dog, the cat or the fox roundworm

Toxocariasis is an illness of humans caused by larvae of either the dog roundworm, the cat roundworm or the fox roundworm. Toxocariasis is often called visceral larva migrans (VLM). Depending on geographic location, degree of eosinophilia, eye and/or pulmonary signs, the terms ocular larva migrans (OLM), Weingarten's disease, Frimodt-Møller's syndrome, and eosinophilic pseudoleukemia are applied to toxocariasis. Other terms sometimes or rarely used include nematode ophthalmitis, toxocaral disease, toxocarose, and covert toxocariasis. This zoonotic, helminthic infection is a rare cause of blindness and may provoke rheumatic, neurologic, or asthmatic symptoms. Humans normally become infected by ingestion of embryonated eggs from contaminated sources.

Gnathostomiasis is the human infection caused by the nematode (roundworm) Gnathostoma spinigerum and/or Gnathostoma hispidum, which infects vertebrates.

Hookworm infection Human disease caused by infection by intestinal parasites of the roundworm group

Hookworm infection is an infection by a type of intestinal parasite known as a hookworm. Initially, itching and a rash may occur at the site of infection. Those only affected by a few worms may show no symptoms. Those infected by many worms may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and tiredness. The mental and physical development of children may be affected. Anemia may result.

<i>Necator americanus</i> Species of worm

Necator americanus is a species of hookworm commonly known as the New World hookworm. Like other hookworms, it is a member of the phylum Nematoda. It is an obligatory parasitic nematode that lives in the small intestine of human hosts. Necatoriasis—a type of helminthiasis—is the term for the condition of being host to an infestation of a species of Necator. Since N. americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale are the two species of hookworms that most commonly infest humans, they are usually dealt with under the collective heading of "hookworm infection". They differ most obviously in geographical distribution, structure of mouthparts, and relative size.

Cutaneous larva migrans Medical condition

Cutaneous larva migrans is a skin disease in humans, caused by the larvae of various nematode parasites of the hookworm family (Ancylostomatidae). These parasites live in the intestines of dogs, cats, and wild animals and should not be confused with other members of the hookworm family for which humans are definitive hosts, namely Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.

Visceral larva migrans (VLM) is a condition in humans caused by the migratory larvae of certain nematodes, humans being a dead-end host, and was first reported in 1952. Nematodes causing such zoonotic infections are Baylisascaris procyonis, Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, and Ascaris suum. These nematodes can infect but not mature in humans and after migrating through the intestinal wall, travel with the blood stream to various organs where they cause inflammation and damage. Affected organs can include the liver, heart and the CNS. A special variant is ocular larva migrans where usually T. canis larvae travel to the eye.

<i>Ancylostoma duodenale</i> species of the roundworm genus Ancylostoma

Ancylostoma duodenale is a species of the roundworm genus Ancylostoma. It is a parasitic nematode worm and commonly known as the Old World hookworm. It lives in the small intestine of hosts such as humans, cats and dogs, where it is able to mate and mature. Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus are the two human hookworm species that are normally discussed together as the cause of hookworm infection. They are dioecious. Ancylostoma duodenale is abundant throughout the world, including Southern Europe, North Africa, India, China, southeast Asia, some areas in the United States, the Caribbean, and South America.

Uncinaria stenocephala is a nematode that parasitizes dogs, cats, and foxes as well as humans. It is rare to find in cats in the United States. Uncinaria stenocephala is the most common canine hookworm in cooler regions, such as Canada and the northern regions of the US, where it can be found primarily in foxes (40%). U. stenocephala is also one of the most common hookworms in the UK, called the northern hookworm, however it has a rather low prevalence. U. stenocephala is also considered to be zoonotic hookworms because they live in animals but can be transmitted to humans.

Arthur Looss

Arthur Looss was a German zoologist and parasitologist. Looss was born in 1861 in Chemnitz, and was educated both there and in Łódź, Poland. Thereafter, he studied at the University of Leipzig, where he received a doctorate for his study of trematodes.

Ancylostomiasis Medical condition

Ancylostomiasis is a hookworm disease caused by infection with Ancylostoma hookworms. The name is derived from Greek ancylos αγκύλος "crooked, bent" and stoma στόμα "mouth".

Necatoriasis is the condition of infection by Necator hookworms, such as Necator americanus. This hookworm infection is a type of helminthiasis (infection) which is a type of neglected tropical disease.

<i>Toxocara canis</i> Species of roundworm

Toxocara canis is a worldwide-distributed helminth parasite of dogs and other canids. The name is derived from the Greek word "toxon," meaning bow or quiver, and the Latin word "caro," meaning flesh. They live in the small intestine of the definitive host. In adult dogs, the infection is usually asymptomatic but may be characterized by diarrhea. By contrast, massive infection with Toxocara canis can be fatal in puppies, causing diarrhea, vomiting, an enlarged abdomen, flatulence, and poor growth rate.

<i>Toxascaris leonina</i> Species of roundworm

Toxascaris leonina is a common parasitic roundworm found in dogs, cats, foxes, and related host species. Toxascaris leonina, or T. leonina, is an ascarid nematode, a worldwide distributed helminth parasite which is in a division of eukaryotic parasites that, unlike external parasites such as lice and fleas, live inside their host. The definitive hosts of T. leonina include canids and felines (cats), while the intermediate hosts are usually rodents, such as mice or rats. Infection occurs in the definitive host when the animal eats an infected rodent. While T. leonina can occur in either dogs or cats, it is far more frequent in cats.

<i>Ancylostoma caninum</i> Species of roundworm

Ancylostoma caninum is a species of nematode known as a hookworm, which principally infects the small intestine of dogs. The result of A. caninum infection ranges from asymptomatic cases to death of the dog; better nourishment, increasing age, prior A. caninum exposure, or vaccination are all linked to improved survival. Other hosts include carnivores such as wolves, foxes, and cats, with a small number of cases having been reported in humans.

Ancylostoma tubaeforme is a hookworm that infects cats worldwide. Infection can occur through penetration of the skin, ingestion of infected hosts, such as birds, or by directly consuming the organism. Ancylostoma tubaeforme along with Ancylostoma braziliense are the two most common hookworms to infect cats, causing anemia and compromising the immune system.

Ground itch refers to the inflammatory reaction resulting from certain helminthic invasions into the skin.

Gnathostoma hispidum is a nematode (roundworm) that infects many vertebrate animals including humans. Infection of Gnathostoma hispidum, like many species of Gnathostoma causes the disease gnathostomiasis due to the migration of immature worms in the tissues.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a parasitic roundworm belonging to the genus Ancylostoma. It is a hookworm both of humans and of other mammals such as dogs, cats, and golden hamsters. It is the only zoonotic hookworm species that is able to produce symptomatic infections in humans, with the majority of cases being in Southeast Asia.

Hookworm Intestinal, blood-feeding, parasitic roundworms that cause types of infection known as helminthiases

Hookworms are intestinal, blood-feeding, parasitic roundworms that cause types of infection known as helminthiases. Hookworm infection is found in many parts of the world, and is common in areas with poor access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. In humans, infections are caused by two main species of roundworm, belonging to the genera Ancylostoma and Necator. In other animals the main parasites are species of Ancylostoma.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Chapman S (2012). "Ancylostoma braziliense". Animal Diversity Web. Regents of the University of Michigan. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
  2. ↑ Bowman, Dwight D.; Montgomery, Susan P.; Zajac, Anne M.; Eberhard, Mark L.; Kazacos, Kevin R. (2010). "Hookworms of dogs and cats as agents of cutaneous larva migrans". Trends in Parasitology. 26 (4): 162–167. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2010.01.005. PMID   20189454.
  3. ↑ Feldmeier, H.; Schuster, A. (2012). "Mini review: hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans". European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases . 31 (6): 915–918. doi:10.1007/s10096-011-1404-x. PMID   21922198. S2CID   14834364.
  4. ↑ Yushida Y (1971). "Comparative studies on Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma ceylanicum. I. The adult stage". The Journal of Parasitology. 57 (5): 983–989. doi:10.2307/3277850. JSTOR   3277850. PMID   5156464.
  5. ↑ Minnaar, W.N; Krecek, R.C; Fourie, L.J (2002). "Helminths in dogs from a peri-urban resource-limited community in Free State Province, South Africa". Veterinary Parasitology. 107 (4): 343–349. doi:10.1016/S0304-4017(02)00155-3. PMID   12163245.
  6. ↑ "ADW: : INFORMATION". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  7. ↑ "Ancylostoma braziliense | American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists". www.aavp.org. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  8. ↑ Shinkar RM, Stocks R, Thomas E (2005). "Cutaneous larva migrans, creeping eruption, sand worm". Arch. Dis. Child. 90 (10): 998. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.073197. PMC   1720113 . PMID   16177155.
  9. ↑ Tierney, Lawrence M.; McPhee, Stephen J.; Papadakis, Maxine A. (2008). Current medical diagnosis & treatment, 2008 . McGraw-Hill Medical. p.  1323. ISBN   978-0-07-149430-4.
  10. ↑ Brenner MA, Patel MB (2003). "Cutaneous larva migrans: the creeping eruption". Cutis. 72 (2): 111–115. PMID   12953933.
  11. ↑ "CDC – DPDx – Hookworm". www.cdc.gov. 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  12. ↑ Lucio-Forster A, Liotta JL, Yaros JP, Briggs KR, Mohammed HO, Bowman DD (2012). "Morphological differentiation of eggs of Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and Ancylostoma braziliense from dogs and cats in the United States". J Parasitol. 98 (5): 1041–1044. doi:10.1645/GE-2928.1. PMID   22394087. S2CID   264410.
  13. ↑ Shoop WL, Michael BF, Soll MD, Clark JN (1996). "Efficacy of an ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate combination against adult hookworm, Ancylostoma braziliense, in dogs". Aust Vet J. 73 (3): 84–85. doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.1996.tb09981.x. PMID   8660218.
  14. ↑ O'Quinn JC, Dushin R (2005). "Cutaneous larva migrans: case report with current recommendations for treatment". J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 95 (3): 291–294. doi:10.7547/0950291. PMID   15901819.
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