Molecular evidence of the intestinal exposure to Ancylostoma caninum among humans in Jamaica

Abstract Canine and feline hookworms are important causes of skin infections in humans including creeping eruption or cutaneous larva migrans. Further, Ancylostoma caninum has been shown to cause intestinal infections in humans resulting in eosinophilic enteritis. To determine the prevalence of Ancylostoma species in dogs and possible intestinal exposure of humans in Jamaica, stool samples from both species were screened using PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1), 5,8S and ITS-2 region of the ribosomal DNA genes. The prevalence of hookworm infections in dogs based on PCR was 60.9% (78/128). DNA sequencing revealed that A. caninum accounted for 88.2% (30/34) and A. braziliense for 11.8% (4/34) of infections in dogs. Further, DNA of A. caninum targeting the same gene fragment was identified in 22.1% (17/77) of stool samples from patients presenting at hospital with the gastrointestinal symptoms. This report of molecular identification of A. caninum DNA in human stools provide further support that intestinal infection with this parasite may be underreported in endemic areas.