Abstract
AIMS: This research aims to determine the epidemiology and the spatial distribution of intestinal parasitosis in the city of Teresina.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the data of parasitological fecal exams performed in the Laboratory Raul Bacelar between January, 2014 and July, 2017. In addition to the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and polyparasitism, we verified the association of these diseases with gender, zone and period of the year by means of the chi-squared test, whereas the relation with age was analyzed by the Mann-Kendall tests and multiple comparisons of age classes. The spatial distribution was performed using the QGIS georeferencing software.RESULTS: The prevalence of enteroparasitosis in Teresina is 17,8% with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common species, due to the precarious sanitary conditions of the city. The prevalence of individuals with polyparasitism is 3,13%, in which an association between the species Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was found. There was no relation between intestinal parasitosis with gender, but we verified that individuals in rural areas are more susceptible to these diseases. The species Ascaris lumbricoides and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar occur more frequently in the first and second semester, respectively. We observed that there is an apparent tendency to increase cases of E. histolytica/dispar and reduction of cases of Giardia sp. according to aging. Mapping intestinal parasitosis showed us that there is a prevalence between one and 20% in most of Teresina's neighborhoods, and Ascariasis embodies at least 40% of cases of enteroparasitosis in these neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS: Investments in basic sanitation and new epidemiological investigations must be carried out to control intestinal parasitosis in Teresina, emphasizing that children and the elderly should be considered priority groups in these programs.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitosis are a group of diseases caused by protozoa and helminths that affect the gastrointestinal tract, transmitted through contact with contaminated soil or through ingestion of contaminated food or water [1,2]
Considering the importance and the shortage of data on the subject, this study aims to determine the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution of intestinal parasitosis in patients attended by health public service of Teresina, in the state of Piauí, Brazil
The prophylactic administration of antiparasitic medicines can reduce prevalence of individuals parasitized in the city and, on the other hand, it can promotes reduction of the efficacy of drugs in the long term, as it has previously been observed to reduce the efficacy of mebendazole and albendazole, which has a decrease in its effectiveness against Trichocephalus trichiuris [16]
Summary
Intestinal parasitosis are a group of diseases caused by protozoa and helminths that affect the gastrointestinal tract, transmitted through contact with contaminated soil or through ingestion of contaminated food or water [1,2]. Individuals with high parasitic load or compromised immune system present more severe manifestations, such as intestinal obstruction and abscesses, which may culminate in the death of the host [3,4]. Children and elderly people are more susceptible to the appearance of inherent complications in parasitosis. We emphasize that the consequences in children and teenagers are not limited to gastrointestinal symptoms, impairing cognitive and physical development [5]. Patients suffering from diseases that suppress the immune system, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and cancer, demand attention because of the increased mortality risk [6]
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