Hookworms are large, multicellular organisms which infect their host as an immature larva by penetrating the skin. They then migrate via the bloodstream to the lungs, break through the alveoli and migrate up the trachea to be swallowed, finally residing in the small intestine as adult worms.
How do hookworms penetrate human tissues where is their habitat?
Life Cycle (intestinal hookworm infection): On contact with the human host, the larvae penetrate the skin and are carried through the blood vessels to the heart and then to the lungs. They penetrate into the pulmonary alveoli, ascend the bronchial tree to the pharynx, and are swallowed .
How do hookworms penetrate the skin?
If an infected person defecates outside (near bushes, in a garden, or field) or if the feces from an infected person are used as fertilizer, eggs are deposited on soil. They can then mature and hatch, releasing larvae (immature worms). The larvae mature into a form that can penetrate the skin of humans.
How do hookworms enter the human body?
When the eggs hatch, they release young hookworms, or larvae. If you walk barefoot over this soil, the young worms can enter your body through the skin on your feet and cause an infection. This is the most common way that people get hookworms.
Do hookworms burrow through skin?
The larvae in the contaminated soil or sand will burrow into the skin and cause the skin to become irritated in that area. For example, this can happen if a child is walking barefoot or playing in an area where dogs or cats have been (especially puppies or kittens).
