Distinction of human hookworm larvae based on lectin-binding characteristics.

A comparative study of lectin binding to ensheathed (EnL3) and exsheathed (ExL3) L3 larvae of Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and Ancylostoma ceylanicum revealed a number of differences between these hookworm species. These differences could provide a novel approach to distinguish infective L3 larvae in field conditions. For example, binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA120) to N. americanus EnL3 distinguished them from those of A. duodenale and A. ceylanicum. Furthermore, UEA and RCA120 negative EnL3 could be separated into the two Ancylostoma sps. tested, as Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and Soybean agglutinin bound to EnL3 of A. ceylanicum but not to those of A. duodenale.

Radiolabeling of Necator americanus third stage larvae with 75Se-methionine.

Third stage larvae of Necator americanus were radiolabeled with 75Se-methionine by two methods. Larvae labeled in aqueous cultures contained 188 and 25 cpm per sheathed and ex-sheathed larva, respectively. Larvae labeled in coproculture incorporated 25 and 18 cpm per sheathed and ex-sheathed larva, respectively. All of the label was decayed in 5 days from larvae labeled in aqueous cultures, whereas appreciable amounts of radioactivity were still detectable at day 7 of chase period in coproculture labeled larvae.

The action of a mast cell protease on the cuticular collagens of Necator americanus.

Collagen-like proteins, thought to be responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the nematode cuticle, were isolated from adult Necator americanus and shown to be susceptible to digestion by purified mast cell proteases. Although these collagens would appear normally to be masked by superficially expressed (surface) antigens, it is suggested that a sufficiently avid and specific immune response could remove this potentially protective coat, rendering the structurally important underlying layers open to immune attack.

Changes in lipid contents of infective third-stage larvae of Necator americanus during desiccation and revival.

Changes in lipid content of infective third-stage larvae of Necator americanus were investigated after short periods of induced desiccation and revival. A fall in lipid reserve from an outset level of 86% to 74% was recorded in the first 2 h of desiccation. With increased desiccation, lipid reserves did not show significant decline, probably as a result of decreased lipid metabolism in the desiccated larvae. During revival, there was a drastic fall in lipid reserves as a result of increased lipid utilisation by the reviving larvae. The results showed that desiccated larvae with lipid levels less than 10% did not revive. The presence of lipid did not appear to prevent desiccation but was an essential factor for revival. The ecological significance of these findings in field larvae is discussed.

Pathogenicity of hookworms. The significance of population regression for the pathogenicity of hookworms.

A method is described to estimate the reduction of the hookworm population in the host during the infection period (population regression). A formula is proposed to estimate the average worm population during the infection period, on the assumption that a decreasing hookworm population causes a decrease in daily blood loss. Daily blood loss per worm was calculated for Ancylostoma caninum: 43 microliters; for A. ceylanicum: 14 microliters for A. braziliense: 5 microliters. Accordingly hookworms cause blood loss one half to two thirds smaller than formerly assumed.