title: Epidemiology of hookworm infection in Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana: patterns of malaria coinfection, anemia, and albendazole treatment failure.
abstract: A cross-sectional pilot study of hookworm infection was carried out among 292 subjects from 62 households in Kintampo North, Ghana. The overall prevalence of hookworm infection was 45%, peaking in those 11-20 years old (58.5%). In children, risk factors for hookworm infection included coinfection with malaria and increased serum immunoglobulin G reactivity to hookworm secretory antigens. Risk factors for infection in adults included poor nutritional status, not using a latrine, not wearing shoes, and occupation (farming). Although albendazole therapy was associated with an overall egg reduction rate of 82%, 37 subjects (39%) remained infected. Among those who failed therapy, treatment was not associated with a significant reduction in egg excretion, and nearly one-third had higher counts on repeat examination. These data confirm a high prevalence of low-intensity hookworm infection in central Ghana and its association with poor nutritional status. The high rate of albendazole failure raises concern about emerging resistance.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. debbie.humphries@yale.edu
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Humphries
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mosites
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Otchere
authors.forename: Welbeck Amoani
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Twum
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Hinckley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jones-Sanpei
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Bungiro
authors.forename: Blair
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benham-Pyle
authors.forename: Langbong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bimi
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edoh
authors.forename: Kwabena
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bosompem
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cappello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications*; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole