Resistance of the hookworms Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Necator americanus to intestinal inflammatory responses induced by heterologous infection.

Experiments were carried out to ascertain whether the acute inflammatory phase of the intestinal response of hamsters to infection with Trichinella spiralis would adversely affect hookworms in concurrently infected animals. The survival and growth of hookworms were unaffected. However, the presence of hookworms reduced the establishment of T. spiralis, the initial growth of female worms and their fecundity. The expulsion of T. spiralis was also significantly slower in concurrently infected animals and there was significant depression of the serum IgG antibody response to muscle stage and adult worm antigens of T. spiralis in concurrently infected animals. These results are discussed in relation to the chronicity of human hookworm infections.