necatoriasis

necatoriasis /ne·ca·to·ri·a·sis/ (ne-kāt″or-i´ah-sis) hookworm disease caused by species of Necator.

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ne·ca·to·ri·a·sis (n-kt-r-ss)

n.

Infestation with the hookworm Necator americanus, whose adults attach to villi in the small intestine and suck blood, causing anemia.

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necatoriasis

[nek′ətərī′əsis]

Etymology: L, necare, to kill; Gk, osis, condition

hookworm disease, specifically that caused by Necator americanus, the most common North American hookworm. An estimated one third of the world's population is infected with N. americanus. The larvae live in the soil; they reach the human digestive tract through contaminated food and water or through the skin of the feet and legs, attach to mucosa in the small bowel, and suck blood from the human host. Most infections are asymptomatic. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and hypochrome microcyte iron deficiency anemia in the more severe cases. Treatment consists of first correcting the anemia if present and then anthelmintic therapy, usually with pyrantel pamoate or mebendazole. Prevention includes improved sanitation for disposal of human waste to eliminate soil contamination and the avoidance of skin contact with the soil. See also ancylostomiasis, ground itch, hookworm.

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necatoriasis (nikā´trī´sis),

n hookworm disease. See also Necator americanus.

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necatoriasis

infection with organisms of the genus Necator; hookworm disease. Manifested by anemia and melena.