Hyperplastic polyposis syndrome is associated with cigarette smoking, which may be a modifiable risk factor.

Objectives: Hyperplastic polyposis syndrome (HPS) confers an increased risk of colorectal cancer and is difficult to manage clinically. Because both polyps and resultant cancers display the CpG island methylator phenotype and mutation of the BRAF oncogene, and because sporadic cancers with these characteristics are associated with cigarette smoking, we hypothesized that cigarette smoking may predispose to the development of HPS.

Methods: This was a case-control study with two independent control series conducted at a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Experimental human infection with the dog hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum.

Objective: To investigate possible routes for human infection by the dog hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANT: Relatively small numbers of infective larvae were administered orally and percutaneously to an informed healthy volunteer (J K L) under medical supervision, at intervals between May 1998 and May 1999.

Main Outcome Measures: Symptoms; weekly blood eosinophil counts; faecal microscopy.