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==Introduction==

==Description==

Hookworm dermatosis is a dermatological disease caused by [[:Category:Ancylostomatoidea|hookworm]] larvae, of which ''[[Ancylostoma caninum]]'' and ''[[Uncinaria stenocephala]]'' are the most common species in the UK. As animals grow older and become exposed to hookworm larvae, a strong Th2 immune response develops so that new L3 larvae are trapped within eosinophilic granulomata and killed in the skin before they can reach the blood.  In severe infestations, secondary bacterial infection may occur.

Hookworm dermatosis is a dermatological disease caused by [[:Category:Ancylostomatoidea|hookworm]] larvae, of which ''[[Ancylostoma caninum]]'' and ''[[Uncinaria stenocephala]]'' are the most common species in the UK. As animals grow older and become exposed to hookworm larvae, a strong Th2 immune response develops so that new L3 larvae are trapped within eosinophilic granulomata and killed in the skin before they can reach the blood.  In severe infestations, secondary bacterial infection may occur.

*The skin over the '''elbows''' and '''hocks'''.

*The skin over the '''elbows''' and '''hocks'''.

*The skin of the '''ventral abdomen'''.

*The skin of the '''ventral abdomen'''.

The pads are most commonly affected and these may be swollen and, due to self-trauma, there may be areas of excoriation where the superficial cornified layer is absent.  The lesions are intensely pruritic.  In areas of haired skin, red papules may be observed, progressing to areas of alopecia and lichenification.  The owner of the dog may be affected by '''cutaneous larva migrans'''.

The pads are most commonly affected and these may be swollen and, due to self-trauma, there may be areas of excoriation where the superficial cornified layer is absent.  The lesions are intensely pruritic.  In areas of haired skin, red papules may be observed, progressing to areas of alopecia and lichenification.  The owner of the dog may be affected by '''[[Cutaneous Larva Migrans|cutaneous larva migrans]]'''.

===Diagnostic Tests===

===Diagnostic Tests===

'''Skin scrapings''' should be obtained because, although they are often negative for hookworm larvae, they can be used to rule out infection by '''''Demodex''''' mites, which is a major differential diagnosis for this presentation.  Similarly, impression smears or scrapings from nail bed can be used to rule out infections by bacteria ('''paronychia''') or fungi such as ''Malassezia pachydermatis'' ('''onychomycosis''').  '''Atopic dermatitis''' may cause animals to chew and lick their feet but this is unlikely to have a sudden onset and rarely causes lesions on the cornified palmar/plantar surfaces of the pads.

'''Skin scrapings''' should be obtained because, although they are often negative for hookworm larvae, they can be used to rule out infection by '''''[[Demodicosis|Demodex]]''''' mites, which is a major differential diagnosis for this presentation.  Similarly, impression smears or scrapings from nail bed can be used to rule out infections by bacteria ('''paronychia''') or fungi such as ''[[Malassezia Dermatitis|Malassezia pachydermidis]]'' ('''onychomycosis''').  '''Atopic dermatitis''' may cause animals to chew and lick their feet but this is unlikely to have a sudden onset and rarely causes lesions on the cornified palmar/plantar surfaces of the pads.

Histological examination of biopsies from affected areas may show:

Histological examination of biopsies from affected areas may show:

==Zoonotic Potential==

==Zoonotic Potential==

Hookworm larvae may cause [[Ancylostoma caninum|'''cutaneous larva migrans''']] in humans.

Hookworm larvae may cause [[Cutaneous Larva Migrans|'''cutaneous larva migrans''']] in humans.

 

[[Category:Dog]]

[[Category:Dermatological Diseases - Dog]]

[[Category:Integumentary System - Helminth Infections]]