PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Mar 2016)

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva Migrans (HrCLM) in a Resource-Poor Community in Manaus, Brazil.

  • Felix Reichert,
  • Daniel Pilger,
  • Angela Schuster,
  • Hannah Lesshafft,
  • Silas Guedes de Oliveira,
  • Ralf Ignatius,
  • Hermann Feldmeier

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004514
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 3
p. e0004514

Abstract

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BACKGROUND:Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a neglected tropical skin disease associated with significant clinical pathology. Little knowledge exists about prevalence and risk factors of HrCLM in endemic regions. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:To understand the epidemiology of HrCLM in Amazonia, we conducted a cross-sectional study in a resource-poor township in Manaus, Brazil. HrCLM was diagnosed in 8.2% (95% CI, 6.3-10.1%) of the study population (N = 806) with a peak prevalence of 18.2% (95% CI, 9.3-27.1%) in children aged 10-14. Most of the tracks (62.4%) were located on the feet, and 10.6% were superinfected. HrCLM was associated independently with age under 15, male sex, presence of animal faeces on the compound, walking barefoot on sandy ground and poverty. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE:HrCLM is common in resource-poor communities in Amazonia and is related to poverty. To reduce the disease burden caused by HrCLM, living conditions have to be improved.