Ancylostoma ceylanicum and other zoonotic canine hookworms:neglected public and animal health risks in the Asia-Pacific region

Zoonotic hookworm infections remain a significant public health problem,causing nearly 500 milion cases globally and approximately four million disability-adjusted life years lost annually.More than one-fth of these cases are attrib-uted to Ancylostoma ceylanicum,an emerging zoonotic health issue in the Asia-Pacific region.This review presents key research gaps regarding the epidemiology,diagnosis,control,prevention and elimination of A.ceylanicum and other canine zoonotic hookworms as neglected health threats.A.ceylanicum is the second most prevalent human hook-worm in the region;it is the most common hookworm among dogs and cats-reservoirs of zoonotic infections.Previous population genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that A.ceylanicum has three possible transmis-sion dynamics:zoonotic,animal-only,and human-only pathways.The actual burden of zoonotic ancylostomiasis in most endemic countries remains unknown due to the use of parasitological techniques(e.g.,Kato-Katz thick smear and floatation techniques)that have reduced diagnostic performance and do not allow accurate species identifica-tion in helminth surveys.The emergence of benzimidazole resistance in soil-transmitted helminths(STHs),includ-ing hookworms,is a concern due to the protracted implementation of mass drug administration(MDA).Resistance is conferred by single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)that occur in theβ-tubulin isotype 1 gene.These mutations have been reported in drug-resistant A.caninum but have not been found in A.ceylanicum in the field.A.ceylanicum remains understudied in the Asia-Pacific region.The zoonotic nature of the parasite warrants investigation of its occur-rence in human and animal reservoir hosts to understand the dynamics of zoonotic transmission in different endemic foci.The detection of benzimidazole resistance-associated SNPs in zoonotic hookworms from Asia-Pacific countries has yet to be thoroughly explored.Considering the high level of hookworm endemicity in the region,the circulation of resistant isolates between humans and animals potentially presents a significant One Health threat that can under-mine current MDA and proposed animal deworming-based control efforts.

Soil Contamination With Zoonotic Geohelminths: Emerging Risks in the Philippines

Soil-transmitted helminth(STH)infections continue to be the most prevalent of the 20 neglected tropical diseases,affecting nearly a quarter of the world’s population and causing approximately 2.54 million disability-adjusted life years.1,2 Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiuria,and multiple species of hookworms(ie,Ancylostoma duodenale,Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum)are known to cause significant infections in humans.Approximately 70%of the infections are reportedly occurring in Asia,where nearly a quarter of the population is infected with at least one STHspecies.3,4 Infections are particularly deleterious among school-and preschool-aged children,women of reproductive age and immunocompromised populations.Impaired cognitive and motor development,stunting,malnutrition and other potentially life-long sequelae are the known adverse health effects of STH infections in children.5–7 Hence,control and elimination efforts have been directed at addressing the prevalence and burden of infections among at-risk populations.