[Beach sand nematodes in Guadeloupe: associated public health problems]

During a parasitological investigation in 1982, sparse samples extracted from sand of different frequentation beaches were analysed according to three methods (Baermann, floating, screening). Larva of hookworms of animal origin (Ankylostoma caninum, Ankylostoma tubaeforme, Ankylostoma braziliense and perhaps Ankylostoma ceylanicum) were identified, sometimes in important quantity, just as eggs of Toxocara sp. Clinical cases of cutaneous Larva migrans are frequent in the West Indies, contrary to cases of visceral Larva migrans. Some prophylactic measures are proposed.