Discovery of Hookworm Infection

In 1898, a German parasitologist, Arthur Lohs, made a groundbreaking discovery while studying the infection process of hookworms. During self-experimentation, he inadvertently found that he was infected with a different parasite species after locating hookworm eggs in his stool. This prompted him to investigate further, leading him to hypothesize that hookworms could invade the skin, a theory he eventually confirmed through bold experimental procedures, including using a volunteer with an impending leg amputation. Lohs' research laid the foundation for understanding how hookworms infect humans and their life cycle, which revealed their mode of transmission and importance in public health.