Soil transmitted helminth infections are among the most common infections worldwide and affect the poorest and most deprived communities. They are transmitted by eggs present in human faeces which in turn contaminate soil in areas where sanitation is poor.
The main species that infect people are the roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). We address these Soil transmitted helminths species as a group because they need similar diagnostic procedures and respond to the same medicines.

Hookworms

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that cause helminthiases in humans by gaining access to the gut through the skin and resulting in clinical and pathologic sequelae in the host that is associated with various morbidity and mortality outcomes (Parija, Chidambaram, & Mandal, 2017). Hookworm species have various abilities to infect various animal and human hosts so that those that affect humans will be the focus of the discussion. Of those that are significantly relevant to human parasite infestation, two important hookworms will be discussed and these include Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale (Ásbjörnsdóttir et al., 2017).

History

Hookworms have been known to be in existence since the third century B.C. as the disease caused by the parasite is mentioned in the Hippocratic Corpus where it causes intestinal distress in the form of a green-yellow complexion and the predisposition to consume dirt which acted as prelude for hookworm infestation (Noelle & Elizabeth, 2008). In 1838, Angelo Dubini was able to identify hookworms from a cadaveric examination of a human corpse. Furthermore, the scientist studied the anatomy of the parasite notably its teeth and called it Ancylostoma duodenale (Noelle & Elizabeth, 2008).

Introduction and epidemiology

. Write specifically about parasites that cause soil transmitted diseases (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
– History of (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
– Taxonomy of (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
– Geographical distribution of (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
– Morphology (Egg, larval, and adult stages) of (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
– Life cycle of (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
– Mode of infection for (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
-Pathology and clinical aspects for (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
-Laboratory diagnosis (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and Strongyloides sterocoralis)
-Immune response among STH
– Lastly, Control of STH