Hookworm

hookworm, any of several parasitic worms of the genera Necator and Ancylostoma belonging to the class Nematoda (phylum Aschelminthes) that infest the intestines of humans, dogs, and cats.

A malady resembling hookworm disease was described in Egypt as early as 1600 bce. A. duodenale was discovered in Europe and associated with the disease in the middle of the 18th century. N. americanus was discovered in North America in 1901–02 by Charles W. Stiles.