Estimation of hookworm intensity by anthelmintic expulsion in primary schoolchildren in south India

A study was carried out between March 1990 and February 1991 to determine the prevalence and intensity of hookworm infection in 151 primary schoolchildren, aged 6-12 years, in Jalaripet, a slum area in South India predominantly inhabited by fishermen. Pre-treatment stool samples were processed by a modified formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique to determine ova counts. All children were treated with pyrantel pamoate and post-chemotherapy stools were collected over 48 h to recover expelled worms. The overall prevalence of hookworm infection was 45% and the mean egg count was 192 eggs/g. The mean worm burden was 1.25 worms/child. The influence of host factors such as age and sex, environmental factors and behavioural factors on the intensity of egg output and worm burden was investigated.