Response of preadult Necator americanus to some known anthelmintics in hamsters.

Hamsters infected with laboratory-adapted preadult Necator americanus were dosed with 6 reference anthelmintics. Their efficacy was measured in terms of percentage cure of infected animals as well as percentage worm reduction following treatment. Mebendazole and pyrantel were equally effective in this system. Other anthelmintics, including anti-hookworm compound, bephenium hydroxynaphthoate, were less effective. The comparative results revealed that the N. americanus model is sensitive and reliable for identifying and characterizing new anti-parasite preparations.