According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," one quarter of the world's population is infected with one of two hookworms (A. duodenale and N. americanus). Hookworms are common in regions with poor sanitation. It takes repeated exposure to infected soil for a human to acquire a heavy worm burden.
Effective hookworm treatments include albendazole, mebendazole, and pyrantel pamoate. Iron supplements are given to infected children to improve muscle and speech development.
Albendazole
In the United States, hookworm infections are generally treated with albendazole which depletes adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an energy source in hookworms, causing immobilization and death.
Mebendazole
According to the Mayo Clinic, mebendazole works by preventing hookworms from absorbing sugar (glucose), which causes the worms to lose energy and die.
Pyrantel Pamoate
Pyrantel pamoate is considered a second line agent for treatment of hookworm infections. It paralyzes hookworms by neuromuscular blockade.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Mebendazole (Oral Route)
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dennis Kasper, M.D.; 2005
