Culture & Hookworms The Relationship of Human Culture and Necator Americanus and Anclystoma Duodenale Ian Moreau

Biology Recap Enters through skin Migrates through lungs Develops in intestine Eggs passed through feces Larvae live in soil

Historical Accounts A. Duodenale has been known in England and Belgium since the first century N. Americanus found in Brazil and Texas, but originated in the Old World Arthur Looss discovered skin entry method in 1896 First hookworm to have life cycle explained

Cultural Practices Usually found in poorer areas of Africa, South America and South-east Asia Use of night soil in Asia Lack of sanitation and skin protection two main factors in transmission

Geographical Distributions Ancylstoma Duodenale Necator Americanus

Infrastructure Problems Migration from rural to urban settings Human manufacture of developmental areas Monoculture of coffee plants Improper mine sanitation

Response To the Parasite Several treatments include: Albendazole: oral, abdominal pain, diarrhea Mebendazole: oral, abdominal pain, diarrhea Pyrantel Pamoate: oral, few side effects Better Sanitation Combat use of night soil

References http://ucdnema.ucdavis.edu/imagemap/nemmap/ent156html/nemas/ancylostomanecator http://tmcr.usuhs.mil/tmcr/chapter12/geographical.htm Tanner, S.N. A POPULATION IN TRANSITION: HEALTH, CULTURE CHANGE, AND INTESTINAL PARASITISM AMONG THE TSIMANE’ OF LOWLAND BOLIVIA. University of Michigan: Department of Anthropology, 2005. http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Hookworm.htm

Questions? “Through man, by promiscuous defecation, ignorance, malnutrition and overcrowding, hookworm disease still maintains a place in pathology." De Leon and Maldonado