Hookworms

By Dr Steve Surujbally

I suppose all worms are, in one way or another, pernicious. But the wretchedness of the hookworms has no equal in the helminth world. It is as if every aspect of this worm is geared for aggression and survival. The hookworm is the undisputed king of wormdom, notwithstanding its size which is about ¼ inch to ½ inch long (sorry Flavio – ½ to 1 cm in length). Let me share with you some features of this worm’s malevolence.

    These wretches are voracious blood-suckers, and in order to ensure that their blood-sucking ability is not compromised, they secrete anticoagulins so as to prevent the host’s blood from clotting at the point on the intestinal wall injured by their teeth (usually, they attach themselves to the walls of the small intestine and draw blood).