Incidence and importance of common intestinal parasites among the population of the Punjab in North-West-India.

Abstract

From November 1968 to December 1973 stool investigations were carried out in 7,314 patients. Intestinal parasites were found to be present in 4,294 patients; the results were negative in 3,080 patients. A detailed case history was available in 4,700 cases. In 40% of the patients with positive results one or several types of parasites were present. No difference was observed with regard to sex, cast or religion. The prevalence of Sikhs among the patients with hookworm infections is no doubt due to the heavier infection rate among the rural population which mainly consists of Sikhs. In the second decade of life parasite infestation increases sharply. Hymenolepis nana was found in all age groups. Ameba, ancylostoma and ascaris were prevalent among the rural population. Hydroxychinolins and phenanthrolin derivatives have proved effective in the treatment of amebiasis. The subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy reported in recent years is attributed by some to the medicament itself and by others to the presence of a virus. Dehydroemetine appears to be the drug of choice against amebic infestation of the liver. Other authors report good results with metronidazol. The authors of this study found that treatment is only successful if a sufficiently high dosage is administered for an adequate length of time. Piperazin derivates have proved effective in the treatment of ascaridiases, with a cure rate of 80–85%. No side-effects were seen. Hook-worm infections were treated with bephenium hydrochloride and also tetrachloraethylen which is more effective but more toxic. The cure-rate was 80%. Bisothiocyanate, which acts specifically against hook-worms, was administered and proved effective against both species of ancylostoma. Satisfactory results were obtained with a single dose of 150 mg of bitoscanate. The consequences of intestinal parasite infections among the population are discussed and prophylactic measures are outlined.