An Epidemiological Study on Hookworm Infection in Remote Rural Areas of Miyazaki Prefecture

Parsitological surveys were conducted to study the recent trend of hookworm infection in remote rural areas of Miyazaki Prefecture, south Japan. Kate's thich smear and test-tube filter paper culture techniques were performed on 837 fecal samples collected from four villages. Prevalence rate of hookworm infection was 13.0% average and that of other intestinal helminths was less than 2.0%. In these districts Ancylostoma duodenale was predominant and species ratio with Necator americanus was 81: 27. Mixed infecttion was few as compared with past record. Prevalence rate and age distribution of N. americanus infection showed a considerable difference between sexes and especially the infection rate was higher in women than man, also the carriers ratio with man was 8: 1. As to the geographical distribution of both species in a village there was a certain tendency of single species infection in a unit of small community.However, prevalence of hookworm infection in these communities showed a considerable distinction with one another.