A Field Trial with Bitoscanate in India

Abstract

Hookworm disease is a public health problem of prime importance in many parts of India and other tropical countries. There are widespread endemic areas mainly in rural districts, where it is the cause of the majority of cases of iron deficiency anaemia. The unhygienic conditions prevailing in these areas lead to a variety of intestinal parasitic infections. Despite the wide prevalence of the disease, the treatment continues to be unsatisfactory. No doubt a large number of drugs are available today, but none of these drugs, however, have shown consistent efficacy at the maximum tolerated dose levels, against the two common species of hookworm: Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus — responsible for human hookworm disease.