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Human hookworm is caused by infection with the helminth nematode parasites Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale and is transmitted through contact with soils of the rural tropics and subtropics. The highest rates of hookworm disease occur in the coastal-humid regions, in these areas, repeated exposure to third-stage lavar of Necator results in a local pruritic, erythematous, papular rash of the feet and hands. After entry through the skin the larvae migrates to the lungs resulting in cough, sore throat, eosinophilia and increased circulating levels of IgE. However major injury in humans occurs when the adult parasite cause intestinal blood loss with iron-deficiency anemia and hypoalbuminemia, and when the hookworm intestinal burden reaches 40 to 160 adult parasites, the hemoglobin level is below 11 g per deciliter/blood. In children, chronic hookworm disease retards physical growth. Severe anemia during pregnancy has been linked to maternal mortality, impaired lactation, prematury and low birth weight. This paper reviews the hookworm's life cycle, clinical manifestation, pathogenesis and the recent advances in the use of animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]