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PubMedDate not supplied

[Intestinal parasitoses in a village of Côte d'Ivoire. II: Relationship between intestinal parasitoses, physical and physiological development and child nutrition].

In a village situated at the border of the Ebrié lagoon, with economical problems, 343 school and preschool children, aged 4 to 15 (195 boys and 148 girls), considered by the school and their families to be in good health, were submitted for clinical and coproparasitologic examination. Basic clinical tests, anthropometric examination, spleen rate, nutrition status assessment (brachial perimeter of children aged 4 to 10 years) and the puberty level evaluation (using Tanner's scale) were independently completed. Splenomegaly rate among children between 4 and 9 years old was particularly important (78.0 %). Intestinal parasites were found in 84.8% of cases during the first examination (70.4% of children were diagnosed with multiple parasitosis). The most frequent parasite identified was Ascaris lumbricoides, being in 62.1 % of the cases, with a parasitic intensity between 1.000 and 52.000 OPG and worm burden between 1 and 16. According to the age, the highest prevalence of A. lumbricoides was higher (78.6 %) in children between 7 and 10 years. Results of anthropometric data, interpreted using NCHS percentile chart, indicated a significant stature-ponderal underdevelopment. Thus, concerning the height, 22.7% of all children were below normal value (below the 5th percentile), 74.3% between normal values and only 2.9% were above the 95th percentile. Among the 255 children with values between the normal limits, 73.7% (more than two thirds) were in the lower half, below the 50th percentile and only 26.3% (less than one third) were between the 50th and 95th percentile. According to the weight, 20.7% of children were below the normal value (below the 5th percentile), 77.8% had normal weight and 1.5% were above the 95th percentile. Even among children with normal weight, two thirds were in the lower half, below the 50th percentile. The underdevelopment was more evident after 9 years of age, particularly in girls. This coincided with higher rates of infection with roundworms. Regarding the nutritional status, 76.9% of the boys and 77.2% of the girls had a lower brachial perimeter than normal data, most frequently by one or two centimeters. A deficit of 3 to 4 cm. was found in 16.2% of the children, and it was higher among girls. The evaluation of pubertal development highlighted a certain delay in girls aged 10 to 12, with a preadolescence state of 76.0 % at age 10, 20.0 % at age 11 and 15.8 % at age 12. Between 13 and 15 years of age, all girls began pubertal development, but none reached Tanner's stage 5. It is concluded that the highest intestinal parasitism (particularly roundworms) can have a negative effect on the staturo-ponderal development of children, their nutrition status and pubertal development. Paludism and alimentary deficiencies have to be also considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Low prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in hospitalized children in Kota Bharu, Malaysia.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in hospitalized children in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Over a 19 month study period, 258 stool samples were examined from 159 children; 109 with diarrhea and 50 controls without diarrhea. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were used to detect C. parvum and the samples were also examined for the presence of other intestinal parasites. Only 1 of the 109 (0.9%) children with acute diarrhea was positive for C. parvum by microscopy and PCR. Thirty-one percent of children were infested with other intestinal parasites, the most common being Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. In conclusion, we found C. parvum to be an uncommon infective agent in hospitalized children with or without diarrhea in Kota Bharu, Malaysia.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Chronic Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Laotian immigrants and refugees 7-20 years after resettlement in Australia.

During the period 1974-91 large numbers of Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees were resettled in Western countries, including Australia. Health screening during this period demonstrated that intestinal parasite infections were common. A cross-sectional survey of 95 Laotian settlers who arrived in Australia on average 12 years prior to the study was conducted to determine if chronic intestinal parasite infections were prevalent in this group. Twenty-three participants had positive Strongyloides stercoralis test results (22 with positive serology, including I with S. stercoralis larvae detected in faeces and another with larvae and equivocal serology). Of these 23 participants, 18 (78%) had an elevated eosinophil count. Two patients had eggs of Opisthorchis spp. identified by faecal microscopy. The detection of chronic strongyloidiasis in Laotian settlers is a concern because of the potential serious morbidity associated with this pathogen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Early life risk factors for atopic dermatitis in Ethiopian children.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has increased in prevalence in many countries in recent decades, but the risk factors for AD in developing countries are unknown. Helminthic parasites may play a role in protecting against allergic disease, but few studies have investigated the association of AD with parasitic infection. OBJECTIVE: To establish the independent effects of parasitic infection and other early life factors on the risk of AD in Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey and nested case-control study of children age 1 to 5 years in Jimma and surrounding rural areas in southwest Ethiopia. Cases were defined according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood criteria for AD and confirmed by clinical examination. Information on lifestyle and other potential risk factors was collected by parental questionnaire, and stool samples were analyzed for parasites. RESULTS: Complete data were obtained on 306 AD cases defined by International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood criteria (prevalence, 4.4%) and 426 controls. There was no reduction in the risk of AD in relation to intestinal parasite infection; in fact, AD was increased in subjects with Trichuris (1.61; 95% CI, 1.14-2.26). The risk of AD was also unrelated to family size, crowding in the home, or breast-feeding, but was related to previously unrecognized factors including malaria and access to piped drinking water. Similar findings were apparent in cases and controls confirmed by clinical examination. CONCLUSION: Neither intestinal parasite infection nor other proposed risk factors for AD appear to be related to the presence of the condition in young children in Ethiopia, suggesting that other factors may be more important in this population.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Hookworm infection among the Melka Sedi banana plantation residents, middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia.

A study of intestinal parasites was done among the people who lived within the banana plantation zone of the Melka Sedi Agricultural Enterprise, Awash Valley, Ethiopia in April 1987. The methods of parasite detection were the Ritchie formal ether and the charcoal culture method for hookworm larvae species identification. From the total 633 population, 311 were examined at random of whom 60.8% were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. Eight parasites were encountered, Ascaris lumbricoides in 1.3%, Trichuris trichiura in 6.4%, Strongyloides stercoralis in 3.9%, hookworm in 53.1%, Taenia sp. in 3.5%, Schistosoma mansoni in 1.9%, Entamoeba histolytica in 0.6% and Hymenolepis sp. in 0.6%. Prevalence of hookworm infection was significantly higher than that of any of the other parasites (p less than 0.001). In the hookworm infected individuals there were more males than females, and the 25 to 34 year age group had significantly higher infection rates (p less than 0.05). The majority of those with hookworm were banana plantation workers. This communication emphasizes the basic guidelines for control and prevention of hookworm and other related faecal/soil-borne infections in this and similar agricultural settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Role of CD4+ TH1- and TH2-cell-secreted cytokines in cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium parvum is now recognized as an important gastrointestinal pathogen around the world. Unfortunately, control measures for cryptosporidiosis are currently not well defined and very little is known about the immunological events relevant to the control of infection. Cytokine depletion experiments were conducted by injecting adult BALB/c mice with monoclonal antibodies directed to IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5, prior and during C. parvum infection. Faecal oocyst excretion and intestinal parasite number were monitored from day 4 to day 31 post-infection. Mice injected with monoclonal antibodies to IL-5 or IL-4/IL-5, but not IL-4 alone, harboured significantly higher numbers of both intestinal parasites and excreted oocysts. It is concluded that IL-5 complemented with IL-4 appears to be an important TH2-dependent mechanism for controlling cryptosporidiosis. Nevertheless, we suggest that cytokines secreted by both TH1 and TH2 cells may operate in concert in controlling cryptosporidiosis, triggering different functional mechanisms in a dynamic and simultaneous up- and down-regulatory fashion.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Blastocystosis in preschool children from bolivar city, venezuela

To evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and its clinical relevance, 169 preschool children from the 'Los Coquitos' nursery school living in Bolivar City, Venezuela, were studied. Stool samples were obtained and examined by direct microscopic examination, and the Faust and Willis concentration techniques. Some 72 of the children had intestinal parasites, of whom 32 (29.09%) had B. hominis. Prevalence for the latter was 18.93 % +/- 5.93 %. No differences were observed by sex or age (X(2) = 1.84 DF= 3; p > 0. 05). In the majority (53.13%) of the children, B. hominis was the only parasite. Giardia lamblia was the parasite most frequently identified with B. hominis (39.13%). In 1994, in 12% of the cases more than five microorganisms per microscopic field were observed. Clinical manifestations were observed in 70.58% of the preschool children. Presence of parasites was not correlated with symptomatology, but only with severity. Proper clinical and parasitological response to treatment was observed in 80% and 90% of patients, respectively. The conclusion was that B. hominis is a relatively frequent intestinal parasite among the preschool children evaluated.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hematological and clinical profile in sickle cell or thalassemic patients].

Clinical and hematological characteristics of 14 patients with sickle cell anemia; one heterozygous AS, and 7, with diagnostic of microcytic hypochromic anemia were analyzed. Hemoglobin phenotypes were identified by electrophoresis, fetal hemoglobin was quantificated for alkaline denaturation and the HbA2 for ionic exchange chromatography; -alpha3,7 -thalassemia was detected by mutation identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). SS phenotype was confirmed in 10 patients, two were SSF increased, one was SSFincreasedA2increased, and one was ASFincreased (HbF = 2%). The patient diagnosed as AS was SSFincreased (HbF = 21%). AD-patients presented a moderate clinical course of the illness. Five microcytic hypochromic anemia patients were HbAA, one was HbAAA2increased and another HbAAFincreased; those patients present a high hematological and clinical variation. beta-thalassemia was 19%. -alpha3,7-thalassemia was not detected. Infection was most frequent clinical manifestation (respiratory tract infection and intestinal parasitism). These results shows that -alpha3,7-thalassemia are not modulator genetic factors of clinical and hematological manifestations of patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia and sickle cell anemia. We suggest that environmental factors such as respiratory tract infection and intestinal parasitism may be affect the course of illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Low frequency of positive skin tests in asthmatic patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni exposed to high levels of mite allergens.

Helminthic infections and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in many parts of the world. Although skin reactivity to indoor allergens is decreased in subjects from helminthic endemic areas, the degree of exposure to mite allergens has not yet been investigated in these areas. This study evaluated the association between exposure to dust mites and skin reactivity to mite allergens in subjects with a history of wheezing in the last 12 months selected from a rural endemic area for schistosomiasis (group I, n = 21), and two non-Schistosoma mansoni endemic locale, a rural area (group II, n = 21) and a urban slum area (group III, n = 21). All subjects were evaluated by skin prick tests with mite allergens, and for total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) against dust mites, antibodies for S. mansoni, and for intestinal parasites. Dust samples from each subjects' home were quantified for mite allergen and species of the mite identification. Except for S. mansoni infection which was more prevalent in group I than in groups II and III (p < 0.0001), the prevalence of intestinal parasites, and total and specific IgE levels were similar for all groups. Despite the levels of mite allergens and specifically to Der p 1 detected in dust samples of subjects home from all three areas, the frequency of positive skin reactivity to mite antigens was significantly lower (19.0%) in subjects from group I relative to group II (76.2%) and group III (57.1%; p < 0.001). This result suggests that S. mansoni infection could modulate the immediate hypersensitivity skin response to mite allergens in highly exposed subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Cryptosporidiosis among animal handlers and their livestock in Basrah, Iraq.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among groups at risk (animal handlers) and among domestic animals. DESIGN: Comparative study with zoonotic aspect. METHOD: Stool samples were collected from 60 animal handlers, 175 non-animal handlers and 198 domestic animals (60 cows, 45 sheep, 45 goats, 25 horses and 23 camels). Direct smear method and then formalin-ether sedimentation method were carried out for stool samples to detect intestinal parasites. Faecal smears were prepared from the sediment and stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method for the recovery of red-pink oocysts of Cryptosporidium. RESULTS: Out of the 60 animal handlers, 30 (50%) were found to be positive for intestinal parasites compared to 26 (14.8%) of non-animal handlers (P < 0.01). Cryptosporidium oocysts were found to be excreted by three (5%) animal handlers and two (1.14%) of the non-animal handlers (P > 0.05). Cryptosporidiosis was also diagnosed in 20%, 13.3%, 17.7% and 12% of cattle, sheep, goats and horses respectively. No single positive case was detected among the examined camels. CONCLUSION: Veterinarians, butchers and breeders should be aware of the disease among farm animals in order to avoid great losses and to prevent its transmission to humans.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit in schoolchildren, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and to correlate the hemoglobin levels with age, sex, income per capita, intestinal parasites, maternal and parenteral education. METHODS: One hundred and forty-six schoolchildren were studied. They were 48.5% female and 51.5% male. The children were 7.3 +/- 0.6 years old and presented 1.1 +/- 1.8 Brazilian minimum salary per capita. About 31% of them presented intestinal parasites. The schooling of their mothers was 5.2 +/- 3.0 years and that of their fathers was 5.6 +/- 3.4 years. The cyanomethemoglobin method was used to determine hemoglobin concentration. Anemia was considered when the hemoglobin was below World Health Organization recommendations (<11 g/dl). RESULTS: The results showed no anemia among the schoolchildren. Most of them displayed hemoglobin concentration between 13 and 14 g/dl. Using the 25th percentile of the hemoglobin distribution (12.7 g/dl) to study the correlation between hemoglobin and the other variables, a positive association between hemoglobin and parenteral schooling (t=2.25, p=0.03) was detected. CONCLUSIONS: This correlation indicates the importance of education level for better life and health quality because education allows more information and understanding.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of anaemia and worm infestation in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh.

The study was conducted among school going children (6-14 years) of Baiga, Abuihmadia and Bharia tribes of Madhya Pradesh to assess the prevalence of anaemia and intestinal parasitic infestation among themselves. A total of 776 school going children were included in the study of whom blood samples of all and stool samples of 409 were collected. Their haemoglobin was measured and stool samples were examined under microscope for ova and cysts. The results revealed that 30.3% of the children had severe anaemia (Hb < 7g/dl) and 50% children had intestinal parasites. The most common parasites were hookworn (16.3%) and A lumbricoides (18.5%). Though hookworm ova loads indicated mild to moderate infestation in most of the children, the continued presence of worms in marginally nourished children could contribute significantly to blood loss in the intestine with resultant anaemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Nationwide survey of human parasite in China.

A nationwide survey of human parasites in China was conducted during 1988-1992, with a coverage of 30 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (P/A/M). A total of 2,848 pilot sites in 726 counties were selected by random sampling, and 1,477,742 individuals residing on were surveyed by fecal examination. The status of paragonimiasis, hydatid diseases, cysticercosis and trichinellosis were summarized through data review. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasites was 62.6% whereas at provincial level, the highest infection rate (94.7%) was recovered in Hainan, and the lowest (17.5%) in Heilong-jiang. A high proportion (43.3%) of polyparasitism among the infected population (882,080) was revealed. Altogether 56 species of parasites comprising protozoa (19), trematode (16), cestodes (8), nematodes (12) and thorny-headed worm (1) were discovered. During the survey a new species and several new records were documented. The number of the population infected with common intestinal parasites was estimated. The diversities of parasite distribution were noted in different nationalities as well as in varied occupations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Surveillance of some infectious diseases among aircrew personnel in Southeast Asia.

A 2-year analysis of specimens among aircrew personnel in Southeast Asia is reported. Stool specimens were examined for intestinal parasites and enteric bacteria, blood smears for blood parasites, and sera tested for transaminases (SGOT) and antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica, Toxoplasma gondii, Chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis viruses, Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, Leptospira sp. and Pseudomonas pseudomallei. One to four specimens each were obtained from 537 adult males and 20 females. There were 56 subjects with intestinal parasites as follows: Giardia lamblia (3.8%), Endolimax nana (2.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.4%), Entamoeba hartmanni (0.9%), Entamoeba coli (0.7%), Trichiuris trichiura (1.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.4%), hookworm (0.9%), and Clonorchis sinensis (1.2%). Two individuals had malaria, Plasmodium vivax (0.6%). Pathogenic enteric bacteria were isolated from seven stool specimens; Shigella groups B and D (0.9%), Salmonella paratyphi (0.3%), and Arizona group (0.9%). Significantly elevated SGOT levels were found in 0.9% and antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus in 1.5%, to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in 1.2%, to Pseudomonas pseudomallei in 0.3%, to Entamoeba histolytica in 0.9% and to Toxoplasma gondii in 10.1%. No antibodies were found to Chikungunya virus or Leptospira sp.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed2005

Emerging opportunistic protozoa and intestinal pathogenic protozoal infestation profile in children of western Nepal.

Intestinal parasitic infestation continues to be of public health importance in many tropical and subtropical countries for their high prevalence and effects on the morbidity in the population. This 5-year hospital-based retrospective analysis was aimed to find out the intestinal protozoal parasitic profile in 1790 pre-school and school-going children visiting the hospital with gastrointestinal illness. Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent pathogenic protozoan intestinal parasite (73.4%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (24.4%). Interestingly, "newer" opportunistic pathogens like Cyclospora cayetanensis (1.0%) and Cryptosporidium sp. (1.0%) were detected from immunocompromised children below 2 years of age as a result of vertical transmission, which is alarming for a country like Nepal at the stage of 'concentrated epidemic' of HIV infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Utility of multiple-stool-specimen ova and parasite examinations in a high-prevalence setting.

A retrospective analysis of the results of 2,704 ova and parasite (O & P) examinations performed on stool specimens collected from 1,374 patients between October 1996 and September 1997 was performed to evaluate the utility of performing O & P examinations on multiple, independently collected stool specimens in a high-prevalence setting. A total of 995 specimens (36.8%) examined during the study contained parasites; 546 (20.2%) contained pathogenic organisms. The positivity rate (54.5%) for the patients from whom three specimens were examined was significantly higher than for the patients from whom either two specimens (33.3%) or a single specimen (19.8%) was submitted for examination. For the group of patients from whom at least 3 specimens were submitted for O & P examination, 373 independent opportunities for diagnosing infection with intestinal parasites could be analyzed. The first stool specimen collected proved to be adequate in only 75.9% (283 of 373) of evaluated cases; however, examination of two specimens increased the sensitivity of O & P detection to 92% (343 of 373). The third specimen collected provided additional information on only 30 of 373 occasions (8%). These data indicate that in populations with a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, two independently collected stool specimens should be subjected to O & P examination to ensure adequate diagnostic sensitivity.

Feces↗
PubMed2000

Differential interleukin-6 mRNA expression in Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection of susceptible and resistant strains of mice.

Intestinal parasitic infection is still a major problem in humans and animals, yet host immunity against gut parasitic infection remains partially understood. Eosinophilia and mastocytosis are features of such infection that have been shown to be genetically controlled. The expression of IL-6 is detected in eosinophils, mast cells and neutrophils and may be responsible for the regulation of leucocytes at infective sites. The relationships between IL-6 expression, eosinophilia, mastocytosis and host immunity remain unclear. In the present report, a close correlation between IL-6 mRNA+ cells, eosinophilia, mastocytosis and worm expulsion is demonstrated, which may indicate a role for IL-6 in regulation of host immunity against intestinal parasite infection.

Animals↗