Hookworm (Necator americanus) transmission in inland areas of sandy soils in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

• Published in: Tropical medicine & international health 2004-04, Vol.9 (4), p.471-476
• Main Authors: Mabaso, M. L. H., Appleton, C. C., Hughes, J. C., Gouws, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; clay soils; Ecosystem; Female; General aspects; hookworm; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Necator americanus; Necator americanus - isolation & purification; Necatoriasis - epidemiology; Necatoriasis - transmission; Particle Size; Prevalence; sandy soils; Silicon Dioxide; Soil - analysis; Soil - parasitology; South Africa; South Africa - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1360-2276; 1365-3156
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2004.01216.x

Summary This study extended the association between hookworm transmission in KwaZulu‐Natal and the sandy coastal plain by investigating the parasite's occurrence in isolated areas of sandy soils further inland. A school‐based prevalence survey was carried out in selected inland sandy areas and in surrounding areas dominated by clay soils within a narrow altitudinal range of between 500 and 700 m to reduce the effect of altitude on climate‐related factors (rainfall and temperature). Sandy areas situated on the coastal plain were included in the analysis for comparative purposes. Soil samples (0–50 mm depth) were collected from each locality to assess their nematode loadings and to analyse selected physical and chemical properties. Significant differences were found between the moderate prevalence of hookworm infection among children living in inland areas with sandy soils (17.3%) and the low prevalence in surrounding non‐sandy areas (5.3%, P