Thermosensation: Human Parasitic Nematodes Use Heat to Hunt Hosts

Abstract

Temperature is a critical host-emitted cue for many parasitic species. A recent study shows that skin-penetrating human parasitic hookworms and threadworms exhibit adaptive host-seeking behaviors that are based on their temperature experience, opening up possibilities for new intervention strategies. Temperature is a critical host-emitted cue for many parasitic species. A recent study shows that skin-penetrating human parasitic hookworms and threadworms exhibit adaptive host-seeking behaviors that are based on their temperature experience, opening up possibilities for new intervention strategies.