Overview
Ankylostomiasis, also known as hookworm disease or hookworm infection, is a parasitic infection caused by hookworms — tiny worms that live in the small intestine. The two main types that infect humans are Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. These worms enter the body most often through bare skin, especially the feet, when a person walks on soil contaminated with hookworm larvae. The larvae travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, are coughed up and swallowed, and then settle in the intestines where they attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Once in the intestines, hookworms cause ongoing blood loss, which leads to iron-deficiency anemia — one of the most serious effects of this infection. People with hookworm disease may feel very tired, weak, and short of breath because their body is not getting enough iron. Children are especially vulnerable, as the infection can affect their growth, brain development, and ability to learn. Treatment is available and effective. Antiparasitic medicines such as albendazole and mebendazole can kill the worms. Iron supplements and a healthy diet are also important to help the body recover from anemia. With proper treatment, most people recover well. However, reinfection is common in areas where the parasite is widespread, making prevention — like wearing shoes and improving sanitation — just as important as treatment.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Extreme tiredness and low energy due to anemiaPale skin, pale gums, or pale fingernailsShortness of breath or feeling faintItchy rash or red bumps where the worm entered the skin (often the feet)Stomach pain or crampingNausea or loss of appetiteDiarrheaCoughing or wheezing (during the early stage when larvae pass through the lungs)Swollen bellySlow growth or poor weight gain in childrenDifficulty concentrating or learning problems in childrenDark or tarry stools (sign of intestinal bleeding)Swelling in the legs or feet in severe cases
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
7 eventsSwiss Tropical & Public Health Institute — PHASE3
Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute — PHASE3
Insud Pharma — PHASE3
Kirby Institute — PHASE4
Zero Point Five Therapeutics — PHASE3
Leiden University Medical Center — NA
Baylor College of Medicine — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableVERMOX 500 mg chewable tablets
indicated for the treatment of patients one year of age and older with gastrointestinal infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm)
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Ankylostomiasis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Ankylostomiasis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Real World Evaluation of an Albendazole-Ivermectin Coformulation Safety and Effectiveness
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ankylostomiasis
New recruiting trial: Moxidectin Versus Ivermectin as Mass Drug Administration for the Control of Onchocerciasis and Other Neglected Tropical Diseases
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ankylostomiasis
New recruiting trial: Phase 3, Multi-center, Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo- Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of ZP5-9676 for the Treatment of Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ankylostomiasis
New recruiting trial: Experimental Infection of Hookworm-naïve Adults With Dermally-applied Infectious Necator Americanus Hookworm Larvae
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ankylostomiasis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which medication do you recommend for my infection, and how long will I need to take it?,Do I need iron supplements, and if so, for how long?,How will we know if the treatment has worked — will I need a follow-up stool test?,Am I at risk of reinfection, and what can I do to prevent it?,Are there any long-term effects I should watch for, especially if my child has been infected?,Should other members of my household or community be tested or treated as well?,Are there any dietary changes that will help me recover faster?
Common questions about Ankylostomiasis
What is Ankylostomiasis?
Ankylostomiasis, also known as hookworm disease or hookworm infection, is a parasitic infection caused by hookworms — tiny worms that live in the small intestine. The two main types that infect humans are Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. These worms enter the body most often through bare skin, especially the feet, when a person walks on soil contaminated with hookworm larvae. The larvae travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, are coughed up and swallowed, and then settle in the intestines where they attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood. Once in the intestines, hoo
How is Ankylostomiasis inherited?
Ankylostomiasis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Ankylostomiasis?
Yes — 5 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Ankylostomiasis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Ankylostomiasis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Ankylostomiasis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Ankylostomiasis?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Ankylostomiasis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.