Research Note: Multidrug-Resistant Canine Hookworms

Hookworms are the most significant soil-transmitted nematodes in humans, causing debilitating iron-deficiency anemia, which can become fatal in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. This study identified a naturally occurring, multidrug-resistant strain of the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum, which harbors a fixed, single-base pair mutation at amino acid 167 of the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene; the isolate was resistant to fenbendazole. The mutation was introduced into the corresponding amino acid in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and was found to confer similar resistance to thiabendazole and ivermectin. This study highlights the importance of understanding mechanisms of resistance for the design of parasite-control strategies.