Cool Creature From the Parasite World

This amazingly cool critter was recently identified in our lab. Got some fantastic pictures to share with you all. Enjoy!

Official ID: Ancylostoma duodenale (adult female)

Common Name: Hookworm




Length: 11 mm



Geographic Location: A. duodenale is found in the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe.


(Don't worry--you're not that safe--it's close cousin, Necator americanus, predominates in the Americas and Australia, and together the two "hookworms" are the second most common human helminthic infection (after ascariasis).)

Clinical Features: Iron deficiency anemia (caused by blood loss at the site of intestinal attachment of the adult worms) is the most common symptom of hookworm infection, and can be accompanied by cardiac complications. Gastrointestinal and nutritional/metabolic symptoms can also occur. In addition, local skin manifestations ("ground itch") can occur during penetration of the larvae, and respiratory symptoms can be observed during pulmonary migration of the larvae.

Treatment: In countries where hookworm is common and reinfection is likely, light infections are often not treated. In the United States, hookworm infections are generally treated with albendazole. (See, it's not that bad, really!)