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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
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| ==Treatment== | | ==Medical Therapy== |
| The drug of choice for the treatment of hookworm disease is [[mebendazole]] which
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| is effective against both species, and in addition, will remove the intestinal
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| worm Ascaris also, if present. The drug is very efficient, requiring only a
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| single dose and is inexpensive, the perfect drug. However, treatment requires
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| more than giving the anthelmintic, the patient should also receive dietary
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| supplements to improve their general level of health, in particular iron
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| supplementation is very important. Iron is an important constituent of a
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| multitude of enzyme systems involved in energy metabolism, DNA synthesis and
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| drug detoxification.
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| An infection of ''N. americanus'' parasites can be treated by using [[Imidazole|benzimidazoles]], [[albendazole]], and [[mebendazole]]. A blood transfusion may be necessary in severe cases of anemia. Light infections are usually left untreated in areas where reinfection is common. Iron supplements and a diet high in protein will speed the recovery process.<ref>"hookworm disease." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 06 Dec. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/271350/hookworm-disease>.</ref> In a case study involving 56-60 men with ''[[Trichuris trichiura]]'' and/or ''N. americanus'' infections, both albendazole and mebendazole were 90% effective in curing ''T. trichiura''. However, albendazole had a 95% cure rate for ''N. americanus'', while mebendazole only had a 21% cure rate. This suggests albendazole is most effective for treating both ''T. trichiura'' and ''N. americanus''.<ref> Holzer, B. R.; and Frey, F. J. (February 1987). "Differential efficacy of mebendazole and albendazole against Necator americanus but not for Trichuris trichiura infestations". European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 32 (6): 635-637. http://www.springerlink.com/content/k000065915k70257/</ref>
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{Reflist|2}} | | {{Reflist|2}} |