Evaluation of the Skin Test for Hookworm as an Epidemiological Tool

Víctor M. Villarejos Louisiana State University-International Center for Medical Research and Training (LSU-ICMRT), Apartado 10155, San José, Costa Rica

Search for other papers by Víctor M. Villarejos in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Jorge A. Arguedas Louisiana State University-International Center for Medical Research and Training (LSU-ICMRT), Apartado 10155, San José, Costa Rica

Search for other papers by Jorge A. Arguedas in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Gilberto Vargas A. Louisiana State University-International Center for Medical Research and Training (LSU-ICMRT), Apartado 10155, San José, Costa Rica

Search for other papers by Gilberto Vargas A. in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Antonio Peña Chavarría Louisiana State University-International Center for Medical Research and Training (LSU-ICMRT), Apartado 10155, San José, Costa Rica

Search for other papers by Antonio Peña Chavarría in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1975.24.250
Volume/Issue:
Volume 24: Issue 2
Page(s):
250–255
Restricted access
Get Permissions

The usefulness of a skin test with larval Necator americanus antigen for assessment of hookworm prevalence was evaluated in an endemic area of Costa Rica. In comparison with standard coprologic techniques employed to survey the population, the skin test detected 83% of infections, showing a fairly satisfactory sensitivity. The overall specificity of the test was 50%, i.e., random. No correlation was found between skin reactivity and hookworm burden. The sensitivity of the test increased moderately with age, but its specificity decreased significantly at the same time. False positive reactions were more numerous among persons formerly infected with hookworm who had been negative for as long as 5 years. There was an indication of cross reactivity with intestinal nematodes other than hookworm. The test was used to detect hookworm infected persons in the community for selective treatment, in comparison with mass treatment of all the people in another village. The selective administration of an anthelminthic drug to only skin test positive persons did not achieve the same drop in community hookworm prevalence as did the indiscriminate treatment of the whole population.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1975 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1975
Accepted:
31 Aug 1974
|
Published Online:
Mar 1975
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637

Diagnostic Procedures and Reagents

Technics for the Laboratory Diagnosis and Control of the Communicable Diseases, American Public Health Association, Ed., pp. v plus 589, 6 plates in color, cloth, New York, Am. Pub. Health Assoc. Inc., 1950, $6.00

An Introduction to Medical Protozoology

With Chapters on the Spirochaetes and on Laboratory Methods. By Robert Knowles, B.A., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Lt. Col., Indian Medical Service, Calcutta. Thacker, Spink and Company. 1928. Pages I–XII, 1–887

Author:
Chas. F. Craig
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 1494 1147 385
Full Text Views 5 2 1
PDF Downloads 3 0 0
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save