Infection of mammalian hosts by milk-borne nematode larvae: A review

Milk-borne or transmammary infection has been observed to occur in several host-parasite systems. In the order of their observation, these are Uncinaria lucasi-fur seal; Strongyloides ransomi-swine; Ancylostoma caninum-dog; Toxocara canis-dog; Strongyloides westeri-horse; Neoascaris vitulorum-cow; Strongyloides papillosus-cow and -sheep; and Toxocara cati-cst. Some of these parasites are largely dependent on milk-borne infection of neonatal animals. All have a tissue migratory phase in their life cycle. Most of these parasites also utilize other modes or combinations of modes in infecting new hosts. The potential importance of milk-borne infection as a factor in human hookworm disease is pointed out as is the need for complete assessment of this avenue of infection.