Question

Ancylostoma infection spreads through
A. Contaminated food
B. Kissing
C. Skin
D. Blood

Answer 1

Ancylostoma duodenale is a roundworm normally known as hookworm which lives in the small intestine of the hosts which usually causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Step by step answer: There are mainly two hookworm diseases, ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis caused by Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus respectively. The infection is mainly through the skin as the larvae can easily permeate through the skin by walking barefoot on the contaminated soil with the infected fecal matter. Once the larvae enter the host through the skin, they travel to the lungs and trachea through the vascular system and then are swallowed down and enter the digestive system of the host and form adult worms inside the small intestine. Ancylostoma duodenale can survive up to six months and cause main intestinal problems like abdominal pain, appetite loss, diarrhea, etc. The infection can start even before eggs are formed making the diagnosis procedure difficult.
Hence, the correct answer is (A).
Additional information- Some patients even suffer from hemorrhages which can be caused during the infection as the worms suck blood and damage the mucosa. It spreads throughout the body via vascular circulation and is stored in muscle in the dormant stage.

Note: Ancylostoma infection can spread through the penetration of larvae by walking barefoot on the infected fecal matter. The main drugs used for the treatment of hookworm disease are benzimidazoles. Traditionally, Epsom salt and thymol were used to treat the infection.