Determination of the composition of hookworm species (Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum)and Necator americanus in humans at community in Tay Ninh province by biomolecular technique

Hookworm infections are common in Vietnam and are caused by two known pathogens: Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. Recent studies have identified a new hookworm species - Ancylostoma ceylanicum, which typically parasitises in dogs. To determine the prevalence of these three hookworm species: A. duodenale, A. ceylanicum, and N. americanus, nested PCR and gene sequencing were employed in fecal samples from suspected individuals residing in Thanh Binh commune, Tan Bien district, Tay Ninh province. Larvae were collected and identified by morphology before 65 DNA samples were extracted and analysed using molecular biology techniques. Results showed that 67.7% (44/65) of the samples were infected with N. americanus, while 16.9% (11/65) and 1.6% (1/65) were infected with A. ceylanicumand A. duodenale, respectively. Co-infection was present in 13.8% of cases, with A. ceylanicum and N. americanus being the most common combination. The origin of the N. americanus species identified was found to be closely related to that reported in Malaysia, while A. ceylanicum was more closely related to the species reported in Thailand. In conclusion, the study found that the new hookworm species A. ceylanicum was more prevalent than the traditional species A. duodenale in Thanh Binh commune (95.2 vs 4.8% of hookworm infections).