The exsheathment of Necator americanus infective larvae
Pasuralertsakul, S.; Ngrenngarmlert, W.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 37(Suppl 3): 28-31
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 17547047 Document Number: 600052
Infective 3rd-stage larvae of Necator americanus were treated with human sweat under various conditions, and compared with human serum, 1.5% saline solution, and distilled water. The infective larvae were observed under inverted microscopy. The highest percentage (14.0%) of the exsheathed larvae was found in human sweat after 2 hours' incubation at 37 degrees C. The proportion of exsheathed larvae in human sweat was significantly different from human serum (p<0.001), 1.5% saline solution (p<0.001), and distilled water (p<0.001). This may reflect the effect of human sweat on the process of skin penetration by Necator americanus larvae.