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Results for “HELMINTH INFECTIONS”

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PubMed1988

Intestinal helminthic infections of cats in Calabar, Nigeria.

A study of intestinal helminthic infections of 52 cats (Felis catus) was undertaken in Calabar, Nigeria. Direct smear and zinc sulphate floatation technique were utilized. The following helminths were observed: Toxocara cati (28.85%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (19.23%), Trichuris felis (5.77%), Dipylidium caninum (23.08%) and Taenia taeniaeformis (9.61%). The worm burdens were generally low, ranging from 2 to 20 per cat. No definite pattern of infection was observed with regard to sex. Trematodes were not seen. The zoonotic and public health aspects of some of these helminths are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

An analysis of individual, household, and environmental risk factors for intestinal helminth infection among children in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt.

During 1994 a cross-sectional survey was carried out on a sample representative of the population in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt, to investigate the relationship between intestinal helminthic infection among children and a wide range of variables (demographic, behavioural, cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental). Data were collected by direct observation and by administering a questionnaire to mothers in charge of the household in a sample of 768 households representative of the entire population in the governorate. A stool sample survey was conducted at the same time on all children 2-12 years of age living in the selected households (n = 2657). Diagnosis of intestinal helminths was made on the basis of the Kato-Katz thick-smear technique. After univariate analyses, conducted to define associations among individual, familial, and community variables and prevalence of infection, the relevant variables were included in a multivariate logistic model to assess the importance of each factor as an independent determinant of infection. Several factors were independently associated with increased risk of intestinal helminth infection. In particular, the age of the child (between 4 and 5 years) (individual), the age of marriage for the mother (cultural), type of garbage disposal (household), and type of settlement (environmental) gave the highest predictive value for infection. The present results are consistent with those of former studies and highlight the importance of a multisectorial approach in the control of intestinal helminth infection.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Towards an atlas of human helminth infection in sub-Saharan Africa: the use of geographical information systems (GIS).

The value of a geographical perspective to infectious disease epidemiology and control has long been recognized. However, the labour required to produce maps, and keep them up to date, has inhibited the development of this area, and very little is currently known about the spatial distribution of parasitic infections other than malaria, trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis. A recent initiative by an international group of collaborators is attempting to redress the absence of detailed spatial information on the major helminth infections of humans. In this article, Simon Brooker and colleagues describe progress made by this initiative in mapping helminth infections in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the value as well as the limitations of this empirical mapping approach.

Africa South of the Sahara↗

PubMed1999

Helminthic infections associated with the use of raw wastewater for agricultural purposes in Beni Mellal, Morocco.

We aimed to determine the possible risks associated with raw wastewater use for agricultural purposes, particularly the transmission of helminthic infections among children. In a randomly-selected sample of 1343 children, 740 of them were from five regions using raw wastewater for agriculture, while 603 were from four control regions that do not use such water. The prevalence of helminthic infection was found to be significantly higher among children in regions using wastewater, compared to control regions. Behavioural characteristics and public water supply were found to be associated with higher infection rates. Adequate treatment of wastewater as well as public health education are highly recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Epidemiological observations on helminth infections of calves in southern Ghana.

This paper describes helminth infections in three groups of calves of different ages grazing naturally infested pastures from March 1987 to May 1988. Calves in which the faecal egg output was followed from birth showed Toxocara vitulorum eggs as early as two days after birth and maximum patency occurred after two months. The fall in Toxocara egg output coincided with a rise in that of the strongylates; Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostumum spp. The influence of rainfall in dictating strongylate nematode infection was clear with high egg output during high rainfall and low egg counts when the rainfall was lower. There was an indication that calves carry the infection from the end of the minor rainy season in November to the beginning of the next rains in March and then contribute to pasture contamination. However, calves born in December may remain uninfected until the onset of the rains.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[Helminth infections in wild boars kept in enclosures in southern Germany: severity of infections and fecal intensity].

To determine the intensity of helminth infection and egg output with regard to age and sex of wild boar, stomachs and intestines of 124, lungs of 62, and livers of 39 animals from 5 enclosures in Southern Germany were examined. The evaluation of the intensity of infection showed 579.4 worms per animal for Hyostrongylus rubidus, 510.4 for Globocephalus longemucronatus, 476.9 for Oesophagostomum dentatum, 476.9 for O. quadrispinulatum, 254.2 for Metastrongylus pudendotectus, 176.9 for M. salmi, 140 for Physocephalus sexalatus, 56.9 for M. apri, 45.4 for Trichuris suis, and 3.3 for Ascaris suum. 33.6 liver flukes per infected wild boar were also found. Additionally 2 metacestodes of Taenia hydatigena on the serous liver coat of an adult sow were found. The worm burden with respect to age of the animals showed no or only minimal age related differences, whereas a large number of O. dentatum and O. quadrispinulatum was found in adults compared to younger wild boars. The evaluation of the intensity of infection with regard to sex of the animals showed higher values only for H. rubidus, O. dentatum, O. quadrispinulatum and P. sexalatus in males compared to female wild boars. The egg output intensity in the samples taken from the rectum was in average 3300 EpG for A. suum, 450.4 EpG for Oesophagostomum, 445.9 EpG for Globocephalus, 220 EpG for Trichuris, 207.9 EpG for Metastrongylus, 190.8 EpG for Hyostrongylus and 67 EpG for Capillaris. The egg output with respect to age showed higher values in younger wild boars than in adults.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

Beta7 integrin-deficient mice: delayed leukocyte recruitment and attenuated protective immunity in the small intestine during enteric helminth infection.

The ontogeny and function of gut-associated-lymphoid tissue is known to be critically dependent on the beta7 integrin subfamily. We have investigated the development of intestinal inflammation and pathogen-specific protective immunity to enteric helminth infection in beta7 integrin knockout (KO) mice. During Trichinella spiralis infection of the small intestine there was a significant delay and reduction in the magnitude of intestinal eosinophilia and mastocytosis in the absence of P7 integrin, resulting in impaired host protection. Aberrant distribution of mast cells was also observed in the small intestine of infected KO mice. Adoptive transfer of primed wild-type mesenteric lymph node cells into T. spiralis-infected beta7 KO mice did not restore the intestinal mast cell response, suggesting that the defect in intestinal mastocytosis is due to the absence of beta7 expression on this population rather than an indirect consequence of reduced T cell numbers. In contrast, no impairment in leukocyte recruitment or protection against Trichuris muris infection of the large intestine was observed in KO mice. Taken together the data provide the first description of reduced leukocyte homing and attenuated protective immunity against helminth infection in beta7 KO mice. Furthermore, these results suggest that beta7 integrin-independent adhesion molecule interactions are deployed in the large but not small intestine during intestinal inflammation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[The co-occurence of Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia spp. and helminth infections in small rodent populations].

During long-term (1998-2000) studies on rodent parasite populations in Mazury lake district there were collected and analyzed data on co-occurrence of intestinal protozoa (Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia spp.) and helminths. There were performed 178 autopsies of common vole Microtus arvalis, 85 autopsies of yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis and 386 autopsies of bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus. Positive effect of helminth infections was found in C. glareolus. Voles infected with nematode Heligmosomum mixtum showed higher prevalence of C. parvum and Giardia spp. than voles infected with Heligmosomoides glareoli. The host age took part in these interactions and positive effect of co-occurrence was mainly observed in voles older than 3 months. The other intrinsic (host sex) or extrinsic (season and year of study) factors influenced interactions between parasites. Presented results revealed that helminth infections may facilitate chronic infections of intestinal protozoa in rodent populations.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Intestinal helminthic infections in schoolchildren in Cambodia.

During the period January to December 1998, the National Malaria Center (CNM) carried out a parasitological survey of schoolchildren in rural and semi-urban areas, to assess intestinal helminthic infections in schoolchildren in the central parts of Cambodia. In the rural areas, there were four schools in Stung Treng Province (all situated along the Mekong River), five schools in Kratie Province (around rubber plantations), six schools in Kampong Chhnang Province (along Tonle Sap Lake); and in the semi-urban areas, three schools in Beng Tumpon Commune and five schools in Chbar Ampeou Commune (Mean Chey District) were selected for study. By Kato-Katz technique, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infections in schoolchildren in both the rural and urban areas was high. The infection rate was between 10-40% for Ascaris, 2-17% for Trichuris and 5-65% for hookworm. Schistosomiasis and opisthorchiasis were found in the schoolchildren living along the Mekong River (Stung Treng Province); the infection rate of S. mekongi ranged from 12 to 43%. These infections in children were with hepatomegalies. An intervention in an urban area (Chraing Chamres) showed that after repeated treatment with mebendazole 500 mg single dose every 6 months, the prevalence of all parasites had dropped to about one third of the initial level.

Cambodia↗

PubMed2002

A comparison of the prevalence and burdens of helminth infections in growers and adult free-range chickens.

Matched samples of 100 chickens of each of growers and adult rural free-range chickens in Morogoro, Tanzania, were purchased from the beginning to the end of the long rainy season. At necropsy, the trachea, the gastrointestinal tract and the oviduct were examined for helminth infections. The helminth species isolated comprised 18 nematodes and 8 cestodes but no trematodes. Tetrameres fissispina is a new record in Tanzania. All the chickens harboured at least three different helminth species. Growers contained 4-14 and adults 3-12 helminth species. The number of species isolated per chicken increased as the rainy season advanced. The prevalence of the following species were significantly higher in growers than in adults (p < 0.05); Ascaridia galli (69% of growers, 29% of adults); Syngamus trachea (14%, 3%); Tetrameres americana (94%, 82%); Trichostrongylus tenuis (43%, 7%); Choanotaenia infundibulum (15%, 6%); Davainea proglottina (9%, 2%); and Raillietina tetragona (36%, 21%). Allodapa suctoria (3%, 20%) and Capillaria annulata (1%, 10%) had a significantly lower prevalence in growers than in adults (p < 0.05). There were significantly higher worm burdens (p < 0.05) in growers than in adults for A. galli, Capillaria caudinflata, R. tetragona, S. trachea, T. americana, T. fissispina and T. tenuis. Conversely, A. suctoria and C. annulata showed significantly higher worm burdens in adults (p < 0.05). The sex of the chickens influenced the burdens of Heterakis brevispiculum (p < 0.05). There was an interaction effect such that growing males and adult females had statistically higher (p < 0.05) burdens of T. tenuis and A. suctoria, respectively.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

The impact of natural helminth infections and supplementary protein on growth performance of free-range chickens on smallholder farms in El Sauce, Nicaragua.

Three on-farm studies were conducted in Nicaragua during three consecutive years (1999-2001) to assess the impact of natural helminth infections on growth performance of free-range chickens aged 3-4 months. On all participating farms, half of the chickens were treated regularly with anthelmintics (Trifen avicola - a combined formulation of piperazine, phenothiazine and dichlorophen - or albendazole) to express the growth potential of non-infected birds, whereas the other half served as non-treated controls. In 1999, treated chickens had a 39% higher weight gain compared to the control group 6 weeks after the first treatment on 15 farms. In 2000 and 2001, treated chickens had similar weight gain as the control group 10 weeks after the first treatment on 7 farms and 12 farms, respectively. The main reason for the very-different weight gain figures seems to be the weather conditions. In 1999, the study site experienced a rainy season with precipitation far above average, whereas in 2000 and 2001 the rainy seasons had precipitations far below average. Based on these findings, routine use of anthelmintics in the study area would only be recommended in wet years when production losses due to helminth infections seem to be pronounced. In 2001, the study set-up included an assessment of the effect of protein supplementation (soybean) on growth on six farms. Supplemented chickens (treated and non-treated with anthelmintics) had 17% higher weight gain than non-supplemented. Protein supplementation affected neither worm burdens nor faecal egg counts for any of the studied helminths. The post-mortem examinations showed that Trifen reduced burdens of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and cestodes (efficacies of 100, 100 and 67%, respectively). Albendazole reduced burdens of H. gallinarum (efficacy of 100%). Efficacies against other helminths were difficult to assess due to low worm burdens. Chickens treated with albendazole had lower Ascaridia and Heterakis faecal egg counts than non-treated chickens.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Attitudes towards helminthic infection in the Jirel population of eastern Nepal.

Intestinal worm infections, including roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm, are major international health concerns, affecting approximately one fourth of the world's population. Many intervention schemes have been attempted to control these infections in heavily exposed populations, but success has been limited because individuals are readily reinfected upon renewed exposure. Few data are available concerning people's health beliefs about soil-transmitted helminthic infections in such populations. The purpose of this study was to assess health beliefs about common helminthiasis in a population experiencing moderate to high rates of infection. The focal population for the study was the Jirel population, a tribal group distributed across nine villages in the Jiri Region of Dolakha District, eastern Nepal. The results indicate that beliefs about the types, causes, and treatments of helminthic infections have been developed and reinforced by experience and empirical evidence. People's frequent inability to confirm the efficacy of drug therapy by observing worms in stools has led to dissatisfaction with biomedical approaches. Carefully planned education programs are required to alter prevailing attitudes and improve control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the region.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Incidence of helminthic infections and comparative study of pyrantel pamoate with levamisole and mebendazole in hospital patients at Barisal, Bangladesh.

A study was carried out to find out the incidence of helminthic infections in hospitalized patients at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, Barisal and to determine the comparative efficacy of pyrantel pamoate, levamisole, and mebendazole. It was observed that 76.2 per cent of total hospitalized patients were infected with intestinal helminths. Polyparasitism (52.6 per cent) was more frequent than single infection (21.8 per cent). Amongst these, 47.5 per cent was suffering from Asearis lumbricoides (AL), 42.5 per cent from Hookworm (H.W) and 65.8 per cent from trichuris trichura (TT). Out of 255 cases examined separately, 40 per cent was suffering from Enterobious vermicularis (EV) infection. The comparative study showed that mebendazole produced egg negative stool in 90.9 per cent of AL, 95.6 per cent of HW and 86.8 per cent of TT after eight days of treatment. On the other hand, pyrantel pamoate cured AL in 93.3 per cent, HW in 78.5 per cent and TT in 34.2 per cent eases. Levamisole cured 75 per cent AL, 4.1 per cent H.W. and 22.2 per cent TT within the same period.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

The effect of anthelmintic treatment on helminth infection and anaemia.

A 24-week randomized double blind intervention trial was conducted on adult female tea pluckers from an estate in Bangladesh to investigate the impact of iron supplementation and anthelmintic treatment on changes in ferritin and haemoglobin levels as well as on prevalence and intensity of helminth infections. A total of 553 women were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention groups: group 1 received iron supplementation on a weekly basis, group 2 received anthelmintic treatment at the beginning and half way through the trial, group 3 received both iron supplementation as group 1 and anthelmintic treatment as group 2, and group 4 was a control group and received placebos for both iron supplementation and anthelmintic treatment. Prevalence and intensity of helminth infections (egg counts/g stool) of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms significantly fell in the 2 groups receiving anthelmintic treatment and there were some reductions in the 2 groups not receiving anthelminthic treatment. Haemoglobin and haematocrit concentrations increased significantly in the iron supplemented groups with smaller increases in the anthelmintic only group. All women showed a decrease in serum ferritin levels post-trial with greater losses in the 2 dewormed groups. Significant negative associations were found between hookworm egg counts and ferritin levels and Trichuris trichiura egg counts and haemoglobin concentration.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

[Helminthes Infections In The Small Intestine Of Stray Dogs In Ejungbu City, Kyunggi Do, Korea]

One hundred and two stray dogs in Ejungbu City of Kyunggi-Do, Korea were examined to reveal out the degree of natural helminthic infection of small intestine. Helminthes were collected at autopsy, by scraping the intestinal contents. The collected worms were classified by their morphological characteristics. Out of 102 examined, 72 dogs were infected with any helminthes. The common helminthes were Dipylidium caninum (47%), Ancylostoma caninum (26%), Toxascaris leonina (16%) and Toxocara canis (13%). Taenia pisiformis (9%), Echinostoma hortense (4%), E. cinetorchis (2%), Spirometra mansoni (2%) were also found. One dog was incidentally found to be infected with Clonorchis sinensis. The prevalence of Toxascaris leonina was relatively high in this study over Toxocara canis, and its significance was discussed. Dogs were firstly described as the reservoir hosts of Echinostoma hortense and E. cinetorchis in Korea.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1975

Overview of quantitation of intestinal helminth infections.

Some of the problems in comparing the incidence of helminthic infections at different time periods are discussed. The relation between egg counts and clinical infection is also discussed. True random sampling is essential if statistically valid data are to be collected.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

PubMed2006

[Investigation of helminth infections of cats and dogs in the Hatay province].

In this study autopsies and fecal examinations of 8 cats and 6 dogs were performed. The helminth infection rate was founded to be 50.0% in cats and dogs after the fecal examinations. Trichuris sp. eggs were found in feces of one dog, and Ancylostoma sp. eggs in feces of one cat and one dog. Seven (87.5%) cats and 2 (33.4%) dogs were found to be infected with various helminths according to the results of the autopsies. The helminth species and their rates were Toxocara cati (62.5%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (50.0%), Hydatigera taeniaformis (25.0%), Mesocestoides sp. (12.5%) and Dipylidium caninum (12.5%) in cats; T. canis (16.7%) and D. caninum (16.7%) in dogs during the autopsies. Numerous tetrathyridium larvae of the Mesocestoides sp. were found in the abdominal cavity of one cat. In conclusion, the high prevalence of ascarid infections in cats and dogs may be important for human health.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Helminth infection and cognitive impairment among Filipino children.

The objective of this study was to examine the independent effect of infection with each of four helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma japonicum, Necator americanus, and Trichuris trichiura) on cognitive function after adjusting for the potential confounders nutritional status, socioeconomic status (SES), hemoglobin, sex, and the presence of other helminthes. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural village in Leyte, The Philippines in 319 children 7-18 years old. Three stools were collected and read in duplicate by the Kato Katz method. Infection intensity was defined by World Health Organization criteria. Cognitive tests were culturally adapted and translated. Learning and memory cognitive domains were each defined by three subscales of the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, which had an inter-rater reliability >/= 0.92 and test-retest reliabilities ranging from 0.61 to 0.89. A household SES questionnaire was administered. A logistic regression model was used to quantify the association between performance in different cognitive domains (learning, memory, verbal fluency, and the Philippine Non-Verbal Intelligence Test) and helminth infections. After adjusting for age, sex, nutritional status, hemoglobin, and SES, S. japonicum infection was associated with poor performance on tests of learning (odds ratio [OR] = 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-6.9), A. lumbricoides infection was associated with poor performance on tests of memory (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.04-4.7), and T. trichiura infection was associated with poor performance on tests of verbal fluency (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.04-30). Helminth infection was associated with lower performance in three of the four cognitive domains examined in this study. These relationships remained after rigorous control for other helminths and important confounding covariates.

Adolescent↗