Ankylostomiasis

/ˌæŋkɪloʊˌstoʊˈmaɪəsɪs/ noun

Definition

The disease caused by infection with hookworms of the Ankylostoma genus, characterized by severe anemia, malnutrition, and intestinal damage.

Etymology

From Ankylostoma (the parasitic worm genus) + '-iasis' (disease caused by). This medical term names the specific disease condition resulting from hookworm parasitic infection.

Kelly Says

Ankylostomiasis is one of history's most devastating preventable diseases—hookworms have infected more people than almost any other parasite! A single worm can drink enough blood to cause serious anemia, and children in affected regions grow smaller and weaker because their bodies can't absorb nutrition.

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