Necator americanus is a Strongylid gut parasite of humans commonly called hookworm. Strongylida are closely related to C. elegans. Within the Strongylida, the level of genetic divergence seen at the level of ribosomal RNA and globin genes suggests a recent adaptive radiation in this group . The parasites have very distinct biology, however, and induce quite different diseases in their hosts.

Nematode infections cause a variety of debilitating disease syndromes in farm animals, prominent amongst which are gastro-intestinal and respiratory disorders. These diseases constitute one of the most important constraints on intensive livestock production. Hookworm disease is still a scourge of humanity in the developing world, and over one billion cases are estimated annually, due to both N. americanus and the closely related Ancylostoma duodenale. Treatment is currently with benzimidazole drugs, but there is fear that resistance may arise, as has been noted in veterinary strongyles . Several candidates are being tested as vaccine components, but an effort to identify new genes will both aid this work and provide many new targets.

The Sanger Institute Pathogen Sequencing Unit is sequencing 25,000 cDNAs from this organism in colaboration with Mark Blaxter at the University of Edinburgh.

The sequences can be downloaded from the ftp site. For more information about parasitic nematodes and related genome progects see the Blaxter Lab web site .