Notes on Helminths from Panama. II. Rare Human Nematode Eggs in the Feces of Individuals from the Chagres River, Panama

Abstract

In a preliminary communication (Faust, I93I) brief mention was made of the finding of Capillaria (vel Hepaticola) hepatica and Gongylonema eggs during intensive routine fecal examinations of the human population of the Chagres River basin, Republic of Panama, in I930. During this survey practically all of the individuals in five small, closely associated villages were subjected to three consecutive fecal examinations. Altogether 440 persons were included in the series. The population is negroid, having mostly migrated from Jamaica and settled in the area a generation or so ago. In addition to a high infective parasite index (3.o0), including 31.8 per cent infection with Endamoeba histolytica, 42.9 per cent with Ascaris, 73.4 per cent with Necator, 44.3 per cent with Trichocephalus and I9.5 per cent with Strongyloides stercoralis, certain members of the group passed eggs in their feces which have rarely been recorded from man.