First Molecular Identifications of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum Infecting Rural Communities in Lower Myanmar

Abstract

Abstract. Hookworms are enteric parasitic roundworms infecting an estimated 400 million persons worldwide. Herein, we provide the first molecular identifications of human hookworms from certain parts of rural Lower Myanmar. DNA was extracted from hookworm-positive stool samples, as determined by microscopy. DNA sequences of the partial internal transcribed spacer 1, full length 5.8S gene, and partial internal transcribed spacer 2 were determined and compared with available hookworm sequences from public databases. Of the 11 polymerase chain reaction-positive samples, eight (Bago Region, N = 4; Mon State, N = 4) yielded sequences with high similarity to those of Necator americanus. A further three sequences (Mon State, N = 2; Bago Region, N = 1) showed high similarity with those of Ancylostoma ceylanicum. The latter is primarily a parasite of dogs and represents a zoonosis. Given that different species of hookworms exhibit different epidemiological and biological characteristics, accurate identification is essential for the planning and execution of effective control programs for hookworm infections.Human hookworm infection remains a main public health problem, particularly in developing countries in tropical and subtropical regions due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

The increased sensitivity of qPCR in comparison to Kato-Katz is required for the accurate assessment of the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection in settings that have received multiple rounds of mass drug administration

“…duodenale infections. This pattern is in agreement with another molecular study in Myanmar, conducted in 2015 [45].…”

Risk profiling and efficacy of albendazole against the hookworms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum in Cambodia to support control programs in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific

“… 13 These animals live in close proximity to human dwellings and contribute to environmental contamination with larvae of Ancylostoma ceylanicum. [14] , [15] , [16] Unlike the hookworms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale, A. ceylanicum is zoonotic and is the second most common hookworm infecting humans in many regions in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, including the Solomon Islands 17 , Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) 18 , Malaysia 19 , Cambodia 20 , Myanmar 21 , 22 and also The Philippines. 23 …”

Ancylostoma ceylanicum Hookworm in Myanmar Refugees, Thailand, 2012–2015

“…In this group of US-bound refugees from Myanmar, N. americanus infection was the most prevalent hookworm infection at all 3 time points tested (25.4% at baseline); A. ceylanicum was the only other hookworm species found, with a baseline prevalence of 5.4%. Because A. ceylanicum infection has been described in both Thailand ( 7 , 10 ) and Myanmar ( 11 , 34 ), whether these persons were infected in their home country or in the camps in Thailand is unknown. Camp allocation seemed to have an effect on infection status for both hookworms; camps 2 and 3 imparted a higher risk for A. ceylanicum hookworm acquisition, and camp 1 had a higher rate of N. americanus infection.…”