The assessment of the contamination of soil-transmitted helminth life stages in the environment and under fingernails

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a group of intestinal parasitic worms that are transmitted through contact with infectious stages in the environment (often soil, which refers to their common name). The STH species that predominantly infect humans are Ascaris lumbricoides Trichuris trichiura and the hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). STHs pose an important threat to global public health, affecting the poorest and most deprived communities where sanitation is inadequate, and water supplies are unsafe. Large-scale deworming programs have been successful in reducing the burden of disease due to STH infections, but re-infection in absence of other measures is unavoidable