Helminth Infection Rates Research Articles

Epidemiological study of the association between malaria and helminth infections in Nigeria.

The relationship between intestinal helminth infection and susceptibility to malaria remains unclear. We studied the relationship between these infections. Seven schools in Ilero, Nigeria referred all pupils with febrile illness to our study center for free malaria treatment during a 3-month study period. At the end, all pupils submitted a stool sample for microscopic investigation for helminth eggs. We used an unmatched case-control design to calculate the odds ratios for helminth infection in children with at least one attack of malaria (cases) and children with no malaria episodes during the study (controls). We recorded 115 malaria cases in 82 of 354 (23.2%), 16 of 736 (2.2%), and 17 of 348 (4.7%) children ages ≤ 5, 6-10, and 11-15 years old, respectively (P = 0.001). Helminth infection rate in cases was 21 of 115 (18.3%) compared with 456 of 1,327 (34.4%) in controls. Weighted odds ratio stratified by age group for helminth infection in cases versus controls was 0.50 (95% confidence interval = 0.2-0.84, P < 0.01). Ascaris and hookworm were the most common helminths detected, with prevalence rates of 14 (12.2%) and 6 (5.2%) among cases compared with 333 (25.1%) and 132 (10.0%) in controls, respectively (P = 0.001). The negative association between helminth infection and malaria may be of importance in the design of deworming programs.

Geostatistical mapping of helminth infection rates

Geostatistical mapping of helminth infection rates

Helminth infections and micronutrients in school-age children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Helminth infections and micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in developing countries. Neither condition typically causes overt disease, but they do lead to indirect morbidity such as impaired physical and cognitive development. We aimed to systematically review current evidence on the relation of helminth infections with micronutrient status in school-age children worldwide. We included both observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We applied a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate 1) cross-sectional associations between helminths and micronutrient status, 2) effects of anthelminthic treatment on micronutrient status, and 3) effects of micronutrient supplementation on helminth infection and reinfection. Meta-analyses of observational studies showed an association between helminth infections and serum retinol [standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.30; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.13] but not serum ferritin (SMD: 0.00; 95% CI: -0.7, 0.7). Conversely, meta-analyses of anthelminthic treatment RCTs showed a positive effect on ferritin (SMD: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.22) but not retinol (SMD: 0.04; 95% CI: -0.06, 0.14). The number of studies on micronutrients other than ferritin and retinol was not sufficient for pooling. Meta-analyses of micronutrient-supplementation RCTs showed only a modest protective effect for multimicronutrient interventions on helminth infection and reinfection rates (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.97). In this review, we show evidence of distinct associations between helminth infections and micronutrients in school-age children. More studies are needed on micronutrients other than iron and vitamin A and on possible helminth species-specific effects. A thorough comprehension of the interplay between helminth infections and micronutrients will help guide integrated and sustainable intervention strategies in affected children worldwide.

Prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections in a rural community in "consolación del sur" municipality, cuba.

Intestinal parasites are very common infections worldwide and they are responsible for significant public health problems. The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world population is infected and some epidemiologic factors related to the transmission have been identified. The purpose of this investigation was to study the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in people living in the rural community of "El Canal", Consolación del Sur municipality and the association with some epidemiologic risk factors. All participants were subjected to three methods of parasitological examinations on the stool samples and by immunodiagnostic tests which allow the detection of excretory-secretory antigens of adults with Fasciola hepatica. The global prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) was 18%, and 16.7% for protozoan infections, while the rate of helminth infection was lower (5.3%) in the population studied. The univariate analysis identified three factors associated with intestinal pathogenic protozoan infections which include livestock work, drinking water from well\river and eating unwashed fruits\vegetables. The multivariate analysis using introduction test logistic regression ratified the association of these risk factors. Contrary to what have been published in the majority of Cuban studies carried out in rural places, a higher prevalence of protozoan than helminth infection was found. This discrepancy may be explained because the majority of the workers in this rural community were stock-breeders and they are not involved in other agricultural work. The identification of risk factors is important in order to design appropriate strategies for control of IPIs in communities.

Helminth infections and malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in Rwanda

Background: Within sub-Saharan Africa, helminth and malaria infections cause considerable morbidity in HIV-positive pregnant women and their offspring. Helminth infections are also associated with a higher risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of, and the protective and risk factors for helminth and malaria infections in pregnant HIV-positive Rwandan women receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Methods & Materials: Pregnant females (N = 980) were recruited from health centres in rural and peri-urban locations in the central and eastern provinces of Rwanda. Helminth infection was diagnosed using the Kato Katz method whilst the presence of Plasmodium falciparum was identified from blood smears. Results: The prevalence of helminth infections was 34.3%; of malaria 13.3%, and of co-infections 6.6%. Helminth infections were more common in rural (43.1%) than peri-urban (18.0%; p < 0.0005) sites. A CD4 count ≤ 350 cells/mm3 was associated with a higher risk of helminth infections (odds ratio, 3.39; 95% CIs, 2.16-5.33; p < 0.0005) and malaria (3.37 [2.11-5.38]; p < 0.0005) whilst helminth infection was a risk factor for malaria infection and vice versa. Education and employment reduced the risk of all types of infection whilst hand washing protected against helminth infection (0.29 [0.19-0.46]; p < 0.0005);). The TDF-3TC-NVP (3.47 [2.21-5.45]; p < 0.0005), D4T-3TC-NVP (2.47 [1.27-4.80]; p < 0.05) and AZT-NVP (2.60 [1.33-5.08]; p < 0.05) regimens each yielded higher helminth infection rates than the AZT-3TC-NVP regimen. Anti-retroviral therapy had no effect on the risk of malaria. Conclusion: HIV-positive pregnant women would benefit from scaling up de-worming programs alongside health education and hygiene interventions. Differential effect of certain ART combinations observed most strongly with AZT-3TC-NVP possibly protecting against helminth infection warrants further investigation.

Helminth infection in southern Laos: high prevalence and low awareness

BackgroundHelminthiasis is a public health concern in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR, Laos). This study aimed to understand helminth infection and associated risk factors in relation to existing local knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding worm infections in endemic communities.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 10 randomly selected villages in Saravane district, Southern Laos. Two stool samples obtained from 574 members (aged ≥2 years) of selected households were examined using the Kato Katz method. Household heads (n = 130) were interviewed. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and direct observations were performed. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict infection. Content analysis was conducted for qualitative data.ResultsThe prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia sp. was 88.7%, 86.6%, 32.9%, 9.8% and 11.5%, respectively. Most individuals were co-infected with O. viverrini and hookworm. More men had multiple helminth infections than did women. Only one-third of household heads had heard about liver fluke before, of which 59.2% associated it with eating raw fish dish. Among the soil-transmitted helminths, roundworm was the most well known (70.8%) but was attributed to raw food consumption (91.3%). Eating raw fish was a common practice (75.4%); few households possessed a latrine (16.1%); less than half of the study participants mentioned health benefits from latrine use and personal hygiene. Focus group discussion participants had a low level of awareness of worm infections; more men liked eating raw fish than did women; some disliked using latrines because they were not used to it and because of their bad smell. Poor personal and village hygiene practices were observed.ConclusionsThis study highlights a high helminth infection rate and poor community awareness of worm infections and associated risk factors. Only a sound awareness of worm infection and the underlying risk factors may prevent infection and re-infection after treatment.

Helminthic Infections Rates and Malaria in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women on Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Rwanda

BackgroundWithin sub-Saharan Africa, helminth and malaria infections cause considerable morbidity in HIV-positive pregnant women and their offspring. Helminth infections are also associated with a higher risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of, and the protective and risk factors for helminth and malaria infections in pregnant HIV-positive Rwandan women receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART).Methodology and principle findingsPregnant females (n = 980) were recruited from health centres in rural and peri-urban locations in the central and eastern provinces of Rwanda. Helminth infection was diagnosed using the Kato Katz method whilst the presence of Plasmodium falciparum was identified from blood smears. The prevalence of helminth infections was 34.3%; of malaria 13.3%, and of co-infections 6.6%. Helminth infections were more common in rural (43.1%) than peri-urban (18.0%; p<0.0005) sites. A CD4 count ≤350 cells/mm3 was associated with a higher risk of helminth infections (odds ratio, 3.39; 95% CIs, 2.16–5.33; p<0.0005) and malaria (3.37 [2.11–5.38]; p<0.0005) whilst helminth infection was a risk factor for malaria infection and vice versa. Education and employment reduced the risk of all types of infection whilst hand washing protected against helminth infection (0.29 [0.19–0.46]; p<0.0005);). The TDF-3TC-NVP (3.47 [2.21–5.45]; p<0.0005), D4T-3TC-NVP (2.47 [1.27–4.80]; p<0.05) and AZT-NVP (2.60 [1.33–5.08]; p<0.05) regimens each yielded higher helminth infection rates than the AZT-3TC-NVP regimen. Anti-retroviral therapy had no effect on the risk of malaria.Conclusion/significanceHIV-positive pregnant women would benefit from the scaling up of de-worming programs alongside health education and hygiene interventions. The differential effect of certain ART combinations (as observed here most strongly with AZT-3TC-NVP) possibly protecting against helminth infection warrants further investigation.

Neglected Rural Public Health Issue: The Case of Intestinal Roundworms

AbstractDespite increasing institutional and financial support, certain public health issues are still neglected by the Chinese Government. The present paper examines the soil‐transmitted helminth (STH) infection and reinfection rates by conducting a survey on 1724 children in Guizhou Province, China. Our results indicate that 37.5 percent of children had been infected with one or more of the three types of tested STH. However, only 50.4 percent of children reported having taken deworming medicine during the 18‐month period before the survey. Of those who reported being dewormed, 34.6 percent tested positive for STH infections. Poverty and number of siblings are significantly and positively correlated with infection and reinfection, and parental education is significantly and negatively correlated with infection and reinfection. Given the ineffectiveness of treatment in these areas to date, for anthelminthic campaigns to actually succeed, China must pay more attention to local‐level incentives to improve children's health.

Geophagy As A Risk Factor For Helminth Infections In Pregnant Women In Lusaka, Zambia

It has been reported that geophagy is closely associated with helminthic diseases (1, 2, 3) and it has been especially linked to Ascaris and Trichuris infections among pregnant women (4). Hitherto proof of existence of viable infective ova in geophageal material has been anecdotal. This study was undertaken to determine the possible direct role of geophagy in helminthiases of pregnant women. Eighty-five pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 44 years of age were recruited into the study in order to determined the prevalence of geophagy among pregnant women resident in high a density and low income areas of Lusaka. The study showed that 31,8% of the pregnant women interviewed practised geophagy at the time of the study, and that 71% had a history of deliberate ingestion of soil. The preferences for the soil types were ranked as clay, termite mounds from tree trunks, and soft stone. Some respondents reported a preference for smoked, roasted or baked clay soils. Perceived benefits of geophagy included diminished craving when they ate soil ( 35.2% ), prevention of vomiting and nausea ( 32.4% ), and others ingested soil for the taste (32.4% ). Most women who were interviewed (91.8%) were aware of possible health risks involved in geophagy such as constipation, heartburn, anemia, coughing, infections with worms, and abdominal discomfort. This study sought to recover and identify helminth ova from a total 3.15Kg. Submitted or collected soil types ingested by the women in the study. No ova was recovered from the soil samples by both the sedimentation and Zinc Sulphate, as well as saturated sodium chloride floatation techniques. These techniques reliably yielded Ascaris, Schistosome, and hookworm ova and Strongyloides larvae in spiked control specimens. Notably, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura ova require moisture to survive and embryonate. The soils ingested by the respondents were dried, some of which are roasted, backed or smoked before ingestion and thus rendering them unsuitable for the survival of ova, let alone the support of embryonated ova which are the infectious stages. This study has demonstrated that no ova were recovered from any of the soil types preferred by the pregnant women, and as such geophagy was an unlikely risk factor for geohelminth infections. Other explanations for the high helminth infection rates among pregnant women recorded in the literature must be sought, such as pica, poor hygiene, and unsanitary environments.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Chickens in Afyonkarahisar District, Turkey

Summary This study was carried out in Afyonkarahisar region of Western Turkey, where chickens and eggs are produced intensively, for determining the prevalence of the gastro-intestinal helminths in chicken. This research was conducted on 200 broilers, collected from 10 modern farms, 200 layer hens, from different 10 modern farms and on 100 free ranging backyard chickens. According to the necropsy findings, none of gastro-intestinal helminths was found in broiler chickens. In total 4 modern layer farms, Choanotaenia infundibulum was detected in 23 (11.5%) chickens out of 200. A total of 58 (58%) free-range backyard chickens were infected with various helminth species, which were: Heterakis gallinarum 38%, Ascaridia galli 19%, C. obsignata 15%, Capillaria caudinflata 13%, Trichostrongylus tenuis 3%, Subulura differens 2%, Choanotaenia infundibulum 14%, Raillietina echinobothrida 6%, R. cesticillus %3. The predominantly seen helminth species was H. gallinarum (38%) and the rarely seen species was S. differens (2%). In total 9 species were detected, which 6 of them were nematodes and 3 of them were cestodes. In infected chickens, minimum one and maximum 3 helminth species were detected. No trematode species was detected in necropsied and fecal examinated chickens. A total of 81 (16.2%) chickens out of 500 were found infected with various helminth species in necropsy and fecal examination. The helminth infection rates and species numbers in modern farms obtained less than in free-ranging systems.

PARASITIC INFECTIONS OF DRY SEASON FARMERS IN SOME PARTS OF PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

A parasitological survey was conducted among 1080 dry season farmers and controls spread over nine farming locations in the Jos and Barkin-Ladi areas of Plateau State, Nigeria, to provide data or parasitic infections in the area due to waste utilization. Standard laboratory procedures were adopted in the collection, processing and parasite identification in the stool samples. The rates of parasites infections in the farmers were 91.6% for helminthes and 86.4% for protozoa. Helminth infection rates but not those of protozoa, varied significantly between farmers and controls. Average infection rates were. Ancylostoma duodenale 91.9%. Ascaris lumbricoides 84.7%, Trichuris trichiura 74.2%, Strongyloides stercoralis 50.3%, Giardia lamblia 13.3%, Entamoeba coli 28.4%, Chilomastix mesnili 15.4%, Endolimax nana 17.3%, Isospora belli 6.3% and Lodoamoeba butshkii 11.5%. More males than females were infected. The rates of infection varied among farmers in the different locations, but younger farmers had higher prevalences. Significant correlations between infections and their symptoms were observed with diarrhoea and abdominal pains being most common. (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(2): 104-110)

Intestinal helminthiasis among malnourished school age children in peri-urban area of Ibadan, Nigeria

This study was carried out between November and December 1999 in a peri urban area of Ibadan in Lagelu Local Government Area to determine the prevalence rate of intestinal helminth infection among malnourished school children. Stool samples and finger prick blood samples were respectively collected from pupils in form 3 to form 6 for analysis. The relationship between infection and their nutritional status was determined using such parameters as weight, height, age, sex, arm to head circumference. The haematocrit value and worm density in subjects were determined to rate level of infectivity in the individual. The study shows that there are three common intestinal worms in the area Ascaris lumbricoides has the highest prevalence rate of 40.7% followed by Tribchuris trichiura (4.8%) and hookworm (4.4%). Age and sex gender made no significant difference in the distribution of infection (P >0.05). however, there was a significant effect on weight and height by worm burden (P (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(1): 24-28)

Helminth fauna of the stoat (Mustela erminea Linneaus, 1758) and the weasel (M. nivalis Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie.

Helminthological examinations of 30 stoat and 31 weasel carcasses were carried out in Belorussian Polesie (southern part of Belarus, Brest and Gomel regions) between 1980 and 1999. The total rate of helminth infection of these animals was 78.7%. A total of 23 stoats and 25 weasels were infected by helminths. The animals were hosts for 20 species of helminths.

A Survey into the Prevalence of Poultry Helminths in Northwest Arkansas Commercial Broiler Chickens

A 12-month survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of poultry helminths in Northwest Arkansas commercial broiler chickens. Intestinal tracts from market-ready broilers were collected weekly from two commercial broiler companies; a total of 3542 intestinal tracts were collected for parasite enumeration from 67 company A and 52 company B farms. Ascaridia galli was found on 37.3% of company A farms and 3.9% of company B farms, Raillietina cesticillus was found on 67.2% of company A farms and 69.2% of company B farms, and Heterakis gallinarum was found on 7.5% of company A farms and 1.9% of company B farms. No other parasitic helminths were found. No significant relationship was detected between grow-out feed efficiency and helminth infection rate or magnitude.