The canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum has been associated with gastrointestinal disease in humans. The species is not well-adapted to humans but can survive under the right circumstances.
When to consider:
(1) exposure to dogs
(2) one or more of the following:
(2a) abdominal pain, which may mimic appendicitis
(2b) iron deficiency anemia
(2c) eosinophilic gastroenteritis
(2d) mucosal ulcers in the terminal ileum, cecum and colon
(2e) demonstration of hookworms within the GI tract or eggs within the stool
(2f) serum antibodies to Ac68 antigen
(2g) peripheral eosinophilia
Differential diagnosis:
(1) gastrointestinal infection caused by Ancylostoma duodenale
(2) cutaneous larva migrans associated with Ancylostoma caninum
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