First Molecular Identifications of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum Infecting Rural Communities in Lower Myanmar

Win Pa Pa Aung Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine 2, Ministry of Health and Sport, Yangon, Myanmar.

Search for other papers by Win Pa Pa Aung in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Thi Thi Htoon Department of Parasitology, National Health Laboratory, Yangon, Myanmar.

Search for other papers by Thi Thi Htoon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Htay Htay Tin Department of Parasitology, National Health Laboratory, Yangon, Myanmar.

Search for other papers by Htay Htay Tin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Oranuch Sanpool Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Oranuch Sanpool in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Jurairat Jongthawin Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Jurairat Jongthawin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Lakkhana Sadaow Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Lakkhana Sadaow in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Issarapong Phosuk Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Issarapong Phosuk in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Rutchanee Ropai Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Rutchanee Ropai in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Pewpan M. Intapan Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Pewpan M. Intapan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Wanchai Maleewong Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Search for other papers by Wanchai Maleewong in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0610
Volume/Issue:
Volume 96: Issue 1
Page(s):
214–216
Restricted access
Get Permissions

Hookworms are enteric parasitic roundworms infecting an estimated 400 million persons worldwide. Herein, we provide the first molecular identifications of human hookworms from certain parts of rural Lower Myanmar. DNA was extracted from hookworm-positive stool samples, as determined by microscopy. DNA sequences of the partial internal transcribed spacer 1, full length 5.8S gene, and partial internal transcribed spacer 2 were determined and compared with available hookworm sequences from public databases. Of the 11 polymerase chain reaction–positive samples, eight (Bago Region, N = 4; Mon State, N = 4) yielded sequences with high similarity to those of Necator americanus. A further three sequences (Mon State, N = 2; Bago Region, N = 1) showed high similarity with those of Ancylostoma ceylanicum. The latter is primarily a parasite of dogs and represents a zoonosis. Given that different species of hookworms exhibit different epidemiological and biological characteristics, accurate identification is essential for the planning and execution of effective control programs for hookworm infections.

Author Notes

* Address correspondence to Wanchai Maleewong, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Amphur Muang, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. E-mail: wanch_ma@kku.ac.th

Financial support: This study was supported by a TRF Senior Research Scholar Grant, Thailand Research Fund grant no. RTA5880001; the Higher Education Research Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, Office of the Higher Education Commission, Thailand, through the Health Cluster (SHeP-GMS); the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (TR57201) through Wanchai Maleewong and Pewpan M. Intapan. Win Pa Pa Aung was partially supported by the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (IN59211). Oranuch Sanpool was supported by Scholarship under the Post-Doctoral Training Program from Research Affairs and Graduate School, Khon Kaen University (58101).

Authors' addresses: Win Pa Pa Aung, Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen Thailand and Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine 2, Ministry of Health and Sport, Yangon, Myanmar, E-mail: eipamicro@gmail.com. Thi Thi Htoon and Htay Htay Tin, Department of Parasitology, National Health Laboratory, Myanmar, E-mails: thithihtoon@gmail.com and drhtayhtaytin@gmail.com. Oranuch Sanpool, Jurairat Jongthawin, Lakkhana Sadaow, Issarapong Phosuk, Rutchanee Ropai, Pewpan M. Intapan, and Wanchai Maleewong, Department of Parasitology and Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, E-mails: sanpoolor@yahoo.com, jurairat_kku@hotmail.com, sadaow1986@gmail.com, issarapong2oum@gmail.com, rutchanee5020@gmail.com, pewpan@kku.ac.th, and wanch_ma@kku.ac.th.

Copyright:
© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2017
Received:
27 Jul 2016
|
Accepted:
22 Sep 2016
|
Published Online:
11 Jan 2017
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Online ISSN:
1476-1645
  • 1.

    Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M, Geiger SM, Loukas A, Diemert D, Hotez PJ, 2006. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet 367: 1521–1532.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Pullan RL, Smith JL, Jasrasaria R, Brooker SJ, 2014. Global numbers of infection and disease burden of soil transmitted helminth infections in 2010. Parasit Vectors 7: 37.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    de Silva NR, Brooker S, Hotez PJ, Montresor A, Engels D, Savioli L, 2003. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: updating the global picture. Trends Parasitol 19: 547–551.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Diemert DJ, 2009. Hookworm. Satoskar AR, Simon GL, Hotez PJ, Tsuji M, eds. Medical Parasitology. Austin, TX: Landes Bioscience, 21–30.

  • 5.

    Mahdy MA, Lim YA, Ngui R, Siti Fatimah MR, Choy SH, Yap NJ, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Ibrahim J, Surin J, 2012. Prevalence and zoonotic potential of canine hookworms in Malaysia. Parasit Vectors 5: 88.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Inpankaew T, Schär F, Dalsgaard A, Khieu V, Chimnoi W, Chhoun C, Sok D, Marti H, Muth S, Odermatt P, Traub RJ, 2014. High prevalence of Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworm infections in humans, Cambodia, 2012. Emerg Infect Dis 2: 976–982.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Jiraanankul V, Aphijirawat W, Mungthin M, Khositnithikul R, Rangsin R, Traub RJ, Piyaraj P, Naaglor T, Taamasri P, Leelayoova S, 2011. Incidence and risk factors of hookworm infection in a rural community of central Thailand. Am J Trop Med Hyg 84: 594–598.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Traub RJ, Inpankaew T, Sutthikornchai C, Sukthana Y, Thompson RC, 2008. PCR-based coprodiagnostic tools reveal dogs as reservoirs of zoonotic ancylostomiasis caused by Ancylostoma ceylanicum in temple communities in Bangkok. Vet Parasitol 155: 67–73.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Conlan JV, Khamlome B, Vongxay K, Elliot A, Pallant L, Sripa B, Blacksell SD, Fenwick S, Thompson RC, 2012. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Laos: a community-wide cross-sectional study of humans and dogs in a mass drug administration environment. Am J Trop Med Hyg 86: 624–634.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Ngui R, Lim YA, Traub R, Mahmud R, Mistam MS, 2012. Epidemiological and genetic data supporting the transmission of Ancylostoma ceylanicum among human and domestic animals. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 6: e1522.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 11.

    Montresor A, Zin TT, Padmasiri E, Allen H, Savioli L, 2004. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Myanmar and approximate costs for countrywide control. Trop Med Int Health 9: 1012–1015.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    Tun A, Myat SM, Gabriell AF, Montresor A, 2013. Control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Myanmar: results of 7 years of deworming. Trop Med Int Health 18: 1017–1020.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Phosuk I, Intapan PM, Thanchomnang T, Sanpool O, Janwan P, Laummaunwai P, Aamnart W, Morakote N, Maleewong W, 2013. Molecular detection of Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, and Necator americanus in humans in northeastern and southern Thailand. Korean J Parasitol 51: 747–749.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Sato M, Sanguankiat S, Yoonuan T, Pongvongsa T, Keomoungkhoun M, Phimmayoi I, Boupa B, Moji K, Waikagul J, 2010. Copro-molecular identification of infections with hookworm eggs in rural Lao PDR. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 104: 617–622.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Schär F, Odermatt P, Khieu V, Panning M, Duong S, Muth S, Marti H, Kramme S, 2013. Evaluation of real-time PCR for Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworm as diagnostic tool in asymptomatic schoolchildren in Cambodia. Acta Trop 126: 89–92.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Brunet J, Lemoine JP, Lefebvre N, Denis J, Pfaff AW, Abou-Bacar A, Traub RJ, Pesson B, Candolfi E, 2015. Bloody diarrhea associated with hookworm infection in traveler returning to France from Myanmar. Emerg Infect Dis 21: 1878–1879.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    World Health Organization, 2005. Deworming for Health and Development. Reports on the Third Global Meeting of the Partners for Parasite Control. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. Available at: https://extranet.who.int/iris/restricted/bitstream/10665/69005/1/WHO_CDS_CPE_PVC_2005.14.pdf. Accessed September 17, 2016.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Yong TS, Chai JY, Sohn WM, Eom KS, Jeoung HG, Hoang EH, Yoon CH, Jung BK, Lee SH, Sinuon M, Socheat D, 2014. Prevalence of intestinal helminths among inhabitants of Cambodia (2006–2011). Korean J Parasitol 52: 661–666.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19.

    Traub RJ, 2013. Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a re-emerging but neglected parasitic zoonosis. Int J Parasitol 43: 1009–1015.

Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 40 40 14
Full Text Views 428 104 1
PDF Downloads 229 38 0
 
Membership Banner
 
 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save