| ankylostomiasis | ‖ n. [ NL., fr. Ankylostoma, var. of Agchylostoma, generic name of one genus of the parasitic nematodes. ] (Med.) A disease caused by the hookworm parasites of the genus Ancylostoma (especially Ancylostoma duodenale), and Necator americanus. Typically, infection in humans occurs in the small intestine. In the small intestine they suck the blood from the wall and, when present in large numbers, produce a severe anaemia. Called also miner's anaemia, tunnel disease, brickmaker's anaemia, Egyptian chlorosis. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. + AS ] Variants: ancylostomiasis |