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PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their relation with socio-economic factors and hygienic habits in Tehran primary school students.

School age children carry the heaviest burden of morbidity due to intestinal parasitic infections. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of these infections in primary school children living in Tehran and their association with socio-economic factors and hygienic habits. In September 1998, a total of 19,213 subjects were invited to participate. Data on health and socio-economic status and health-related behaviours, collected via questionnaires, physical examinations and stool sample analyses, were available for 19,209 persons, with a participation rate greater than 99.99%. All participants were subjected to three methods of microscopic examinations on the stool sample and an adhesive cellophane tape slide evaluation. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infection among the students was 18.4%. Coinfection with two or three parasites was seen in 2%. With increase in educational level of parents (especially mothers), the infection rate of children was decreased. Girls showed a significantly higher positive rate than boys. Using piped water, correct method of washing vegetables and increase in the economic score of the family, resulted in a decrease in the infection rate. According to the results, low level of education and consequently poor socio-economic and hygienic condition of families appear to be powerful determinants of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Intestinal parasitic infections and leishmaniasis in patients with HIV infection].

Intestinal parasite infections are very frequent in HIV patients with severe immunodeficiency (CD4 < 100/mm3) causing chronic diarrhea and malabsorption in the majority of cases. The most frequent microorganisms are microsporidia and Cryptosporidium parvum while Cyclospora cayetanensis and Isospora belli are more prevalent in subtropical and tropical areas and rare in industrialized areas. The diagnosis can be obtained by stool examination (differences in size and form of cysts), although microsporidia is frequently demonstrated by intestinal biopsy and/or duodenal aspirate. The treatment with cotrimoxazole for C. cayetanensis and I. belli is very effective and does not present any problems in the acute phase, however, due to a high percentage of relapses the treatment must be maintained while the patient is in a severe immunodeficiency state. E. intestinalis usually responds satisfactorily to albendazole while E. bieneusi is resistant to some drugs except in some cases (albendazole, atovaquone ad fumagillin). C parvum is also resistant to most medicaments but shows an adequate or partial clinical: response to paramomicine (< 50%). When there is no response, it is advised to administer octreotide since in half the cases the response is positive either total or partial. Nowadays with the use of protease inhibitors in the antiretroviral treatment a decrease in the incidence of these infections has been observed (microsporidia and C. parvum) even in the stools samples taken from the patients who had them before. As primary prophylaxis for C. parvum, it is better to avoid been exposed to the microorganism taking into account the 1997 preventive measures recommended by the USPHS/IDSA Prevention of Opportunistic Infections Working Group. The coinfection Leishmania-HIV is frequent in the mediterranean area. The most common specie is L. infantum. The incidence is most frequent in immunosuppressed patients (CD4 < 200 mm3) and in parenteral drug addicts. The symptomatology is similar to the one from immunocompetent patients, although in some cases it appears to be subclinical. A chronic development with relapses is frequent. The most effective diagnostic method for the finding of the parasites is thru bone marrow puncture and the culture in Novy-McNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium. Serological tests have a low sensibility and the PCR is useful in asymptomatic cases, for therapeutical control and in relapses. The treatment is similar to that of immunocompetent patients, using primarily antimonials or amphotericine B (standard or lipid or liposomal forms). Relapses are very frequent, therefore, it is important to perform a secondary prophylaxis. However, no treatment has been completely effective. Mortality rate is high (approximately 25%) during the first month after diagnosis. This fact may be related to the severe immunodeficiency state and/or to the toxicity of the drugs used. The main priority for the future is to find a first line treatment with higher efficacy, decrease in relapses and a lower toxicity.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A non-invasive technique for the control of intestinal parasites in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Control of intestinal parasites is a major concern in maintaining the health and well-being of captive primates. This study established that percutaneous application of ivermectin was as effective as subcutaneous administration for the control of nematodes in captive rhesus macaques. The method is less intrusive than the standard subcutaneous or oral delivery routes and did not adversely affect the health of any of the study subjects.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1975

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Latino residents of Chicago.

In 1970, 250,000 Spanish-speaking persons resided in Chicago, 80,000 of whom were Puerto Rican. Because migration to Chicago is constantly occurring from areas where intestinal parasites are endemic, a survey was conducted in a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood to determine the prevalence of these parasites and to provide impetus for further case finding and treatment programs. The survey was part of an epidemiologic and cutreach workers going door-to-door obtained histories, hematocrits, and single stool specimens from 358 individuals. An overall intestinal parasite prevalence rate of 18.6% (67 persons) was found. Specific rates were Trichuris trichiura 13.9% (50 cases), hookworm 6.6% (24 cases), Giardia lamblia (3.9% (14 cases), and Strongyloides stercoralis 1.7% (6 cases). There were no cases of Ascaris lumbricoides or ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA, Although several nonpathogenic protozoa were found. The most affected age groups were 15--24 years followed by 5--14. Two of the Giardia cases were individuals never out of the continental United States. An incidental finding was a high rate of low hematocrit readings not correlated with the parasite findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intestinal parasite infections and schistosomiasis in a poor urban area, in townships of the sugar cane belt and in villages of the semi-arid area of North-East Brazil].

We determined the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections between 1993 and 1998 in the populations of a poor quarter of Recife (Pernambuco), in two townships in the sugar cane belt and in three villages of the semi-arid area far from the coast. Intestinal schistosomiasis was present in the sugar-growing area but was not observed in the populations inland that use dams to provide irrigation and fishing. Ascaris was very common in the city and the sugar cane belt and large numbers of hookworms were observed, especially in the sugar-growing area. These nematodes were very rare in the semi-arid area. This distribution probably results from both climatic conditions and human behavior. The high frequency of Amoeba cysts demonstrates that the peasants, farmers and fisherman living in these areas have poor hygiene practices. There are probably many, complex relationships between education, income, lifestyle and intestinal parasite infections.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intestinal parasites in refugee claimants: a case study for selective screening?

The medical profiles of 1,967 refugee claimants to Montreal, Quebec, Canada from January 1987 to July 1987 were reviewed to evaluate the importance of imported intestinal parasite infection in this group and to re-examine the screening policy governing these infections. An overall infection rate of 29.3% was obtained for pathogenic parasites, where helminths were four times more frequently found than the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Age, sex, years of schooling, country of origin and level of eosinophilia were found to be associated with infection, with country of origin being the strongest predictor of infection. These results document the parasite infection in a select group of immigrants which would not have been identified and treated if a special program of screening were not in operation. We suggest that the present immigration policy of no screening for intestinal parasite infection be at least modified to include a recommendation that new arrivals, who are considered to be at high risk for parasite infection, be informed that an examination for parasites would be beneficial to their personal health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Analysis of the occurrence of intestinal parasites among children in first grade in elementary school in Poland in the school year 1992/3].

In 1992/93 there were reexamined in Poland 10% of the population of children aged 7 years for the presence of intestinal parasites, continuing country-wide operation launched in 1988. The examination included 60,288 children, 38,003 inhabiting towns and 22,285 from the country. Among the examined in each voivodeship the numbers of children from towns and country were proportional to the actual number of children living in the two localities. The methods included examination of direct faecal smear in 0.85% NaCl and in Lugol's iodine, zinc sulphate flotation, decantation and cellophane swabs according to NIH. The parasites encountered in order of decreasing frequency comprised: E. vermicularis, G. intestinalis, Entamoeba coli, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. The highest number of infected children was found in the Biała Podlaska district. The number of infected among children inhabiting country was significantly higher than among those from the towns. The obtained results have confirmed hitherto existing views that in Poland the epidemiological situation of infections with intestinal parasites is steadily improving.

Child↗
PubMed1983

Intestinal parasites in immigrant children from Central America.

To begin to characterize the health needs of the growing number of refugees from Central America, we compiled the results of examinations for ova and parasites of a single stool specimen of each of 128 children of Central American and Mexican background who entered our health center during a four-month period. Among the 96 children who were born in Central America or Mexico, there was a 65% prevalence of parasitic infestation. Pathogens were found in 46% and multiple pathogens in 14%. Among the 32 American-born children there was a 13% prevalence of parasitic infection, but no pathogens were found. There was no correlation between symptoms and the presence of parasites. Screening Central American immigrant children for intestinal parasites is a high-yield procedure and should be part of their routine health care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[The current prevalence of intestinal parasites in Beijing].

Following the requirements of the "National survey on the current status of the major human parasitic diseases", the investigation was conducted in June-October 2002 in 5 districts (counties) of Beijing with a sample of 7912 people. The overall prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was 2.9%, significantly lower than the result from the first survey in 1988-1989 (34.8%) (chi2=3 227.45, P<0.05), revealing that intestinal parasitic infections are not an important risk for people in Beijing Municipality in general.

Child↗
PubMed1980

Intestinal parasitic infections in homosexual men: prevalence, symptoms and factors in transmission.

In a controlled study 67.5% of 200 homosexual men but only 16% of 100 heterosexual men were found to be infected with intestinal parasites. Entamoeba histolytica was isolated from 27% of the homosexual and 1% of the heterosexual men, and Giardia lamblia was isolated from 13% of the homosexual and 3% of the heterosexual men. The presence of symptoms could not be correlated with infection except when the infection was caused by more than one organism, including G. lamblia. Symptoms were much more common in both infected and uninfected homosexuals than in heterosexuals. Among the homosexual men recent foreign travel, living in a homosexual household and promiscuity were not correlated with intestinal parasitic infection, but cleansing of the anus before and sex was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of infection. These findings suggest that the male homosexual community may be an important reservoir of potentially pathogenic protozoa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Secular trends in intestinal parasitic diseases of childhood in the city of São Paulo, Brazil (1984-1996)].

OBJECTIVE: Data from two consecutive household surveys undertaken in mid-80s and mid-90s allow to characterize and analyse secular trends in infant and child intestinal parasitic diseases in the city of S. Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The two surveys included random population samples aged from zero to 59 months (1,016 in the period of 1984-85 and 1,280 in 1995-96). Stool samples were collected in both surveys and examined by sedimentation techniques using both unstained and Lugol-stained preparations. For each survey, the study of the social distribution of the parasitic diseases took into account tertiles of the per capita family income. For the study of the determinants of secular trends, hierarchical causal models, multivariate regression analyses and calculations analogous to the ones used to assess population attributable risks were applied. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: In the time span from the first to the second survey, there was a substantial reduction in the prevalence of all parasites (from 30.9% to 10.7%), helminths in general (from 22.3% to 4.8%), giardiasis (from 14.5% to 5.5%) and two or more species of parasites (from 13.1% to 0.5%). A significant decline in prevalence was observed in all social strata and the inverse association between income and intestinal parasites was kept unchanged in the period. Positive changes in distal (family income and maternal schooling) and intermediate determinants (housing, sanitation, and access to health care) of helminthic disease could substantially explain part of its decline in the period. The decline in giardiasis was attributed to improvement in maternal schooling, housing and sanitation. The duplication in the attendance rate to day care nurseries may have restricted the decline rate in the giardiasis prevalence in the study period.

Brazil↗
PubMed1992

Influence of intestinal parasitism on lactose absorption in well-nourished African children.

Hydrogen breath tests were performed in Gabon (Central Africa) after a loading dose of lactose in 67 well-nourished African children (50 with intestinal parasites and 17 unparasitized) and in 18 unparasitized young adults. All had normal nutritional status, and none had diarrhea or digestive symptoms. Parasites that were found included Ascaris lumbricoides in 76% of the parasitized children, Trichuris trichiura in 58%, Giardia in 24%, Entamoeba histolytica in 20%, Schistosoma intercalatum in 16%, and Necator Americanus in 14%. A similar proportion of parasitized (64%) or unparasitized (62.8%) subjects were lactose malabsorbers. Giardia infection was associated with a higher, but not significantly different, proportion of lactose intolerance (10 of 12, 83.3%). The presence of infection with A. lumbricoides or T. trichiura did not increase the percentage of lactose malabsorption. These data indicate that a decrease of lactase activity in well-nourished African children is not related to the presence or the importance of Ascaris or other intestinal parasites if the nutritional status is normal.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Prevalence of intestinal parasitic disease in three provinces in Morocco].

A study of intestinal parasites was carried out in Taounate, Béni Mellal and Tizinit provinces in Morocco on a sample of 1682 individuals who were representative of the urban and rural area population. For each stool specimen, three microscopic examinations and a Kato test were performed. In the three provinces, about two-thirds of the study participants from rural areas and around 50% of those from urban areas had parasites. The reproducibility of the prevalence figures allowed the study results be generalized to the other provinces of the country. Among the parasite groups encountered, amoebas were the most frequent, followed by flagellates and helminths. Concerning pathogenic species, Entamoeba histolytica, in the amoebic group, was the most commonly found. All the positive cases were treated by specific medication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Asian female house keepers in Abha District, Saudi Arabia.

A group of 5,518 female Asian house keepers working in Abha District of Saudi Arabia was examined (1990 through 1992) to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. They came from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Thailand. Fresh stool specimens were obtained in special containers and examined by light microscopy of wet smears in normal saline and Lugoll's iodine solution within one hour of collection. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 46.5% which was higher than that reported among the Saudi population. The common parasites found included Trichuris trichiura (28.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22.2%), Hookworm (14.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.2%), Hymenolepis nana (0.2%), and Giardia intestinalis (0.1%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was statistically different among various studied nationalities. The possibility of spreading such diseases throughout the community should be considered in the light of the nature of work of this group being in close contact with different family members. It is recommended that all expatriate workers be checked and treated if necessary on arrival for the first time or from vacation. This policy must be strictly monitored, particularly for female house keepers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Occurrence of intestinal parasites among first grade students in Poland in years 2002/2003].

UNLABELLED: In the school year 2002/2003 there were examined in Poland some of the population of 7-year-old children for the presence of intestinal parasites, continuing countrywide operation launched in 1988. METHODS: The studies were based on the examination of a single faecal specimen and a cellophane swab using the following methods: wet mount preparations in 0.9% NaCl and diluted Lugol's ioine, zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation and decantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The studies included 31 504 children from 15 provinces of Poland. The parasites most frequently encountered in the examinations included: Enterobius vermicularis (in 3 827 of the examined, i. e. 12, 15%), Ascaris lumbricoides (in 263; 0.83%), Giardia intestinalis (in 217: 0.69%), Entamoeba coli (n 189; 0.60%) and Trichuris trichiura (in 39; 0.12%) The overall percentage of the infected children was 15.4%. The highest number of infected children was found in the province warmińsko-mazurskie (29.6%0), the smallest in slaskie (8.8%). The number of infected among children inhabiting country (19%) was significantly higher than among those from the towns (10.4%). The obtained results confirmed hitherto existing views that in Poland the epidemiological situation of infections with intestinal parasites is steadily improving.

Ascariasis↗
PubMed1980

Intestinal parasites in homosexual men.

A study on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in a group of homosexual men, attending a sexually-transmitted diseases clinic in Glasgow, was undertaken. Of 118 men examined over an eight-month period, four, one of whom had symptoms of dysentery, were found to be infected with Entamoeba histolytica. Cysts of Iodamoeba buetschlii were also found in the stool of one of these men. A further two patients had giardiasis, and 11 men had enterobiasis. The importance of an awareness of these conditions is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiological survey of intestinal parasitic infections of diarrhoeal patients in Nepal and Lao PDR.

Intestinal parasitological survey was conducted to clarify the distribution of intestinal parasites in Nepal and Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) from 2001 to 2003. A total of 401 diarrheal fecal specimens were collected from patients aged one to 75 years (250 from Nepal and 151 from Lao PDR). The specimens were examined using the formalin-ether sedimentation (FES) and sucrose centrifugal flotation (SCF) techniques. Nine species (3 Nematoda, 1 Cestoda, and 5 Protozoa) of parasites were recovered from Nepal, whereas seven species (3 Nematoda, 1 Trematoda, and 3 Protozoa) from Lao PDR. Of the parasites detected, (14.4%) was the most common in Nepal, and was Opisthorchis viverrini (29.8%) in Lao PDR. Infection rates were markedly different among age groups in both countries; higher rates were observed in age groups of 10-29 years than in 0-9 years group. Scanning electron microscopic observation revealed that trematoda eggs recovered from Lao PDR were identified as O. viverrini, which could not be done by a light microscope.

Adolescent↗