ankylostomiasis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareTechnical (Medical/Tropical Medicine)
Quick answer
What does “ankylostomiasis” mean?
Hookworm infection, a disease caused by hookworms, particularly affecting the intestines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Hookworm infection, a disease caused by hookworms, particularly affecting the intestines.
An intestinal parasitic infection (often by *Ancylostoma duodenale* or *Necator americanus*), typically acquired through skin contact with contaminated soil, leading to anemia and malnutrition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in medical usage. Both use 'hookworm infection' or 'hookworm disease' more commonly in general contexts.
Connotations
Technical, dated, and highly specific term in both dialects. It carries no regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low in general use. May appear slightly more often in historical medical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “ankylostomiasis” in a Sentence
diagnosed with ankylostomiasissuffering from ankylostomiasistreatment for ankylostomiasisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ankylostomiasis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- ankylostomiasis infection
American English
- ankylostomiasis prevalence
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in parasitology and tropical medicine journals.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context for this term. Used in medical diagnoses, textbooks, and research papers on helminthic infections.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ankylostomiasis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ankylostomiasis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ankylostomiasis”
- Misspelling as 'ankylostamiasis' or 'ankylostomosis'.
- Incorrect pronunciation, stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., an-KY-lo... instead of an-ky-LOS...).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the specific medical term for hookworm infection/disease.
Primarily through skin contact (e.g., bare feet) with soil contaminated by human faeces containing hookworm larvae.
It remains a significant public health problem in many tropical and subtropical regions with poor sanitation, affecting hundreds of millions of people.
Initial skin itching (ground itch), followed by abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and severe anaemia due to chronic intestinal blood loss.
Hookworm infection, a disease caused by hookworms, particularly affecting the intestines.
Ankylostomiasis is usually technical (medical/tropical medicine) in register.
Ankylostomiasis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæŋkɪˌlɒstəˈmaɪəsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæŋkɪˌlɑːstəˈmaɪəsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANCHOR-LIKE STOMACH ILLNESS. Hookworms anchor themselves to the intestinal wall, causing a stomach illness (iasis).
Conceptual Metaphor
INVASION (The parasite invades/infests the body). THIEF (It 'steals' nutrients/blood).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of ankylostomiasis?