DETECTION OF HOOKWORM AND HOOKWORM-LIKE LARVAE IN HUMAN FECOCULTURES IN SURINAM

Estimation of the prevalence of hookworm infection is usually based on finding eggs of the parasite in the stool. Eggs of the different hook worm species are difficult to distinguish and can be confused with tho se of hookworm-like species. Proper identification can be made after h atching the eggs and cultivating larvae to the infective stage. We hav e used the Harada-Mori method to study the stools of Bushnegroes in Su riname and have identified the emerged larvae. Of the 804 individuals examined, 53.6% had positive fecal cultures. The identification of eme rged larvae revealed that 75% of the positive cultures contained Necat or americanus and Strongyloides stercoralis was detected in 19.7%. Oes ophagostomum and Ternidens species were also found. Ancylostoma duoden ale larvae were not found. Six percent of fecal cultures in which larv ae emerged contained only hookworm-like larvae hatching from eggs that resembled hookworm eggs. The diagnosis of hookworm infection, based s olely on the microscopic detection of eggs in the stool, must be consi dered with special caution.