Parasitology

Table of Contents - 1993 - Volume 106, Issue 04  

Research Article

Reinfection with hookworm after chemotherapy in Papua New Guinea

R. J. Quinnella1 p1, A. F. G. Slatera1 p2, P. Tighea2, E. A. Walsha2, A. E. Keymera1 and D. I. Pritcharda2

a1 Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS

a2 Department of Life Science, Nottingham University, Nottingham NG7 2RD

SUMMARY

Reinfection with hookworm (Necator americanus) following chemotherapy was studied over 2 years in a rural village in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. The prevalence of hookworm infection had returned to pre-treatment levels after 2 years, and the geometric mean hookworm burden had returned to 58 % of the pre-treatment value. The rate of acquisition of adult worms was independent of host age, and was estimated as a geometric mean of 2·9–3·3 worms/host/year (arithmetic mean 7·9–8·9 worms/host/year). There was significant predisposition to hookworm infection; the strength of this predisposition did not vary significantly between age or sex classes.

(Received October 29 1992)

(Revised June 02 1992)

(Accepted October 30 1992)

Key words

  • hookworm;
  • Necator americanus;
  • reinfection;
  • predisposition;
  • chemotherapy;
  • Papua New Guinea

Correspondence:

p1 Department of Medical Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT.

p2 Picower Institute for Medical Research, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.

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