Ancylostoma caninum and Other Canine Hookworms

The hookworm Ancylostoma caninum is the most common nematode parasite of dogs. Cosmopolitan in distribution, A. caninum is a serious canine pathogen, causing blood loss, anemia, and sometimes death, especially in puppies. In addition, A. caninum and related hookworms are zoonoses, and are capable of causing disease in humans. This chapter will first review the life cycle of A. caninum, its pathology and treatment in dogs. Next, the diseases caused by A. caninum and closely related canine hookworms in humans will be discussed, including cutaneous larva migrans, eosinophilic enteritis, and diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. Finally, evidence of the emergence of multidrug-resistant A. caninum and its possible impact on diseases in both dogs and humans will be explored.