Age-dependency in predisposition to hookworm infection in the Burma valley area of Zimbabwe

Abstract

We examined hookworm re-infection intensities (measured as faecal egg count by the Kato technique) following anthelmintic treatment of farm workers resident on 15 large-scale commercial farms in Zimbabwe. All individuals examined were treated with albendazole (400 mg). Hookworm reinfection intensities of individuals examined, treated and reexamined were compared with the intensities of infection before treatment. Adults had higher than average infection intensities both before and after reinfection. Predisposition to hookworm infection was marked in adults, and absent from younger, less heavily infected hosts. The observations suggest that acquired immunity is unlikely to be an important determinant of hookworm infection and that behaviour may play a major role in determining the observed infection patterns in this community.