Most immunocompetent patients are relatively asymptomatic. No racial predilection is apparent. No gender predilection is demonstrated. Overwhelming symptoms may develop in the immunocompromised individual. Clinical suspicion is required, as telltale eosinophilia present in the normal host is lost in the immunocompromised hyperinfected patient.
Infection is caused by bare skin exposure to fecally contaminated soil containing infective larvae.
Larvae may infect immediately upon passage from host. Longstanding autoinfection may persist many years after the host leaves an endemic area. Imaging studies are not useful for established infections. These must be distinguished from hookworm larvae. Results are available in 1-2 weeks.