Helminthiasis In Children Research Articles

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthiasis among Children with Chronic Neurologic Disorders in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla

Background: Reports show that children with chronic neurological disorders (CNDs) are more prone to helminthic infestation. Major risk factors for high levels of intestinal helminthiasis such as poverty, personal hygiene and poor living conditions are common in developing countries. This study is undertaken to determine the prevalence and pattern of intestinal helminthiasis in children with CNDs in Enugu. Methods: A total of 130 children with CNDs matched with controls were consecutively recruited. Stool samples of the children were collected and analyzed using the formolether concentration method. Worm load was determined using Stoll's technique. Student t-test was used to compare the mean age of infected subjects and controls and Chi square test for significant association of categorical variables. Statistical tests were done at the 5% level of significance and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis among children with CNDs was 8.5% compared to 12.3% among the control group (p = 0.309). The specific intestinal helminths detected were Ascaris lumbricoides in 10 (7.7%) subjects and Trichuris trichiura in one (0.8%) subject. The mean age of subjects (6.5 ± 3.9 years) and controls (6.4 ± 3.6 years) infested with helminths compared favourably (t = 0.017, p = 0.90). There were more males (63.6%) than females (36.4%) who were infested. All infested study participants had low intensity infestation ranging from 10-60 eggs per gram of faeces. Infestation was more common in the lower and middle socio-economic classes. Method of human waste disposal, personnal hygiene, and habits such as finger sucking, nail-biting and pica did not influence the prevalence of helminthiasis in the study groups. Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of helminthic infestation among children with chronic neurologic disorders in Enugu. This may imply that these children are not neglected in our environment as often reported

Relevance of eosinophilia and hyper-IgE in immigrant children.

Immigrants from undeveloped countries are a growing problem in Europe. Spain has become a frequent destination for immigrants (20% of whom are children) because of its geographic location and its historic and cultural links with Africa and Latin America. Eosinophilia is frequent in adult immigrants, travelers and expatriates coming from tropical areas. However, there are few studies that focus on the incidence and causes of tropical eosinophilia and hyper-IgE in immigrant children.We evaluated, prospectively, the prevalence and causes of eosinophilia and hyper-immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 362 immigrant children coming from Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern Africa and Latin America to Salamanca, Spain, between January 2007 and December 2011.Absolute eosinophilia and hyper-IgE were present in 22.9% and 56.8% of the analyzed children, respectively. The most frequent causes of absolute eosinophilia were filariasis (52.6%), strongyloidiasis (46.8%) and schistosomiasis (28.9%). Filariasis (41.9%), strongyloidiasis (29.6%) and schistosomiasis (22.2%) were the most frequent causes of increased levels of IgE. The area under the ROC curve showed similar values between eosinophil count and IgE levels in the diagnosis of helminthiasis (69% [95% confidence interval (CI) 63%–74%] vs 67% [95% CI 60%–72%], P = 0.24). Eosinophilia and hyper-IgE have a high value as biomarkers of helminthiasis in children coming from tropical and subtropical areas.

Relationship between nutritional status and intensity of common intestinal helminths among children in enugu, South-East Nigeria.

Background:Intestinal helminthiasis is associated with malnutrition in children.Aim:The objective of this study was to determine the intensity and effect of the common intestinal helminths on the nutritional status of children in Enugu, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional study of 460 children conducted in Enugu metropolis, south-east Nigeria between August and September 2003. Their stools were analyzed at the research laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Health, National Arbovirus and Vector Research Center, Enugu. The intensity of the common intestinal helminths was determined using the standard Kato-Katz method of fresh stool samples. The classification intensity of helminthic infestation was according to the World Health Organization classification. Data were analyzed using Statistical Software for Social Sciences version 11.0 (Chicago IL, USA). P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.Results:452 of 460 children (98.3%) had normal height for age, weight for age and weight for height Z-scores. Six of the 460 children (1.3% were wasted), 1/460 stunted (0.2%) and 1/460 wasted and stunted (0.2%). 150 out of 460 (32.6%) studied were infected with helminths. There was no significant relationship between the intensity of helminth infection and the nutritional status of the children.Conclusion:Although the prevalence of helminthiasis in children in Enugu was high, intensity of helminthiasis in these children was mainly mild. Hence, majority of them had normal weight and height measurements for age and sex.

Intestinal helminthiasis in children with chronic neurological disorders in Benin City, Nigeria: intensity and behavioral risk factors

Behavioral aberrations such as nail biting, finger sucking, and pica have been postulated as risk factors that enhance helminths ova transmission. These aberrations may present commonly in children with chronic neurological disorders and predispose them to heavy intensity of intestinal helminthiasis. This comparative cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, intensity, and behavioral risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in children with chronic neurological disorders and apparently healthy controls. Fresh stool samples from 155 children (2-17 years) with chronic neurological disorders seen at the child neurology clinic and 155 age and sex matched controls from nursery and primary schools in Benin City were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique for detection of ova of helminths from November 2008 to April 2009. The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis (31.0%) was significantly higher in children with chronic neurological disorders compared with the controls (19.4%) (P=0.03). The intensity of infections in both groups was light ranging 24-144 eggs per gram. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm were the intestinal helminths isolated in both groups. Behavioral aberrations were significantly more represented in the subjects than in the controls (P<0.0001, OR=2.8). Nail biting and encopresis were the most significant independent predictors of intestinal helminthiasis (P=0.025 and 0.001, respectively) in the subjects only. Hand washing with water and soap after defecation and frequent de-worming exercise were practices significantly associated with decreased prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in the subjects and controls. Behavioral modification in children with chronic neurological disorders should be an integral part of the control program for intestinal helminthiasis.

Prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthiasis in children living in orphanages in Benin City, Nigeria.

Orphans may be envisaged to have sub-optimal care and may be predisposed to high worm burden. This study was undertaken to determine prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthiasis in children living in orphanages in Benin City, Nigeria. Fresh stool samples from 150 children (0-17 years) living in 10 orphanages in Benin City, were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique for the detection of ova of helminths between January and April, 2011. The subjects consisted of 62 (41.3%) males and 88 (58.7%)females; mean age (+/- standard deviation SD) 7.0 +/- 4.6 years, and mean (+/- SD) years lived in the orphanage was 4.0 +/- 3.7 years. Prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 20.7% and this prevalence was highest in children ages 12-17years, children who had lived longer years in the orphanages and in orphanages with poor child/care-giver ratio (orphanage F = 12.0: 1 and orphanage H = 7.3: 1). Mean (+/- SD) age (8.7 +/- 4.5 years) of infected subjects was significantly higher than (6.6 +/- 4.5 years) observed in non-infected subjects (p = 0.023). Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were the intestinal helminths isolated. Intensity of intestinal helminths was light in 24/31 (77.4%) and moderate in 7/31 (22.6%) infected subjects. Median egg per gram was 999 eggs per gram and range was 48-8000. Improved child/care-giver ratio in orphanages will reduce worm burden in orphanages in Benin City.

Risks of intestinal helminthiasis in children living in orphanages in Benin city, Nigeria

Background: Risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis include poor personal hygiene/care, and behavioural aberrations such as finger sucking, nail biting and pica which had been found to enhance intestinal ova transmission.Objectives: To determine risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis in children living in orphanages in Benin City, Nigeria.Subjects and Methods: Fresh stool samples from 140 children (0 &#8211; 17 years) living in 10 orphanages in Benin City, were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique for the detection of ova of helminths between January-April, 2011.Results: Prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 20.7%. Children ages 12 &#8211; 17 years had highest prevalence of intestinal helminths. Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were the intestinal helminths isolated. Behavioural aberrations were represented more in infected subjects than the noninfected children (&#967;2 = 3.94, p = 0.047, O.R = 2.3). Nail biting and use of common towel were the most significant independent predictors of intestinal helminthiasis (p = 0.017 and 0.028 respectively). Hand washing with water and soap after defeacation was significantly associated with decreased prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis (p = 0.016).Conclusion: Behavioural modification, good personal hygiene and provision of towels for each child living in the orphanage should be integral part of intestinal helminths control in orphanages.

Prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in children with chronic neurological disorders in Benin city, Nigeria

Background: It is envisaged that the care for the child with chronic neurological disorder (CND) compared with his apparently healthy counter-part may be sub-optimal, predisposing him to increase disease morbidities including intestinal helminthiasis. To evaluate this hypothesis, a comparative cross sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence, intensity, and specie-specific prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in children with CND such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental retardation seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City between November 2008 and April 2009.&nbsp; Subjects and Methods: Fresh stool samples from 155 children with CND and from 155 age&nbsp;&nbsp; and sex matched apparently healthy nursery and primary school children in Benin City, Edo State were analysed using the Kato-Katz technique for the detection of ova of helminths. Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in children with CND was 31.0% compared with 19.4% found among the apparently healthy controls (p = 0.03). This prevalence increased with increasing age in both subjects and comparative group. Intensity of infections in both groups was light. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Ancylostoma duedenale were the intestinal helminths isolated in both subjects and control groups. A. lumbricoides alone had the highest specie-specific prevalence in both the subjects (20.0%) and comparative groups (15.5%). Mixed infection was found only among the children with CND. Conclusion: Intestinal helminthiasis is common and more prevalent in children with CND than in healthy children. It is recommended that regular de-worming be incorporated into the routine care of children with CND.Key words: chronic neurological disorders, helminthiasis, intestinal helminths, intensity

Common intestinal helminthiasis in children: A review.

Common intestinal helminthiasis in children: A review.

The acceptability and safety of praziquantel alone and in combination with mebendazole in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in children aged 1–4 years in Uganda

There is limited information on the acceptability and safety of praziquantel for treatment of schistosomiasis in children below the age of four years. In addition, although mebendazole has been extensively used together with praziquantel against infections with schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in school-aged children, no specific acceptability or safety studies have been published on this drug combination in younger children. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to determine the safety of praziquantel alone and in combination with mebendazole in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni and STH in children aged 1 to 4 years. A total of 596 children from Bwondha fishing community in Mayuge district and Wang-Kado fishing community in Nebbi district were investigated using duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears of two stool samples and 130 (21·8%) were found infected with S. mansoni. Of these, 19·2% (25) had heavy intensity of infections. Of the infected children, 82 were included and randomised into praziquantel (40 mg/kg) + mebendazole (500 mg) or praziquantel (40 mg/kg) alone. Many symptoms were reported before treatment while very few were reported after treatment and all on treatment day. No serious adverse events were reported or observed after treatment. Praziquantel with or without mebendazole was well tolerated in small children in the study area.

Intestinal helminthiasis in children of gurez valley of jammu and kashmir state, India.

Introduction:This paper is a part of the helminthological studies carried out on school-going children of the Kashmir Valley and deals with the status of intestinal helminths in the children of Gurez Valley and to assess epidemiological factors associated with the extent of endemic disease so that control measures are adopted.Material and Methods:Stool samples were collected from 352 children from Gurez Valley. The samples were processed using Kato-Katz thick smear technique, and microscopically examined for intestinal parasites.Results:Of the 352 children surveyed, 75.28% had one or more types of intestinal helminthes. Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (71.18%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (26.42%), Enterobius vermicularis (13.92) and Taenia saginata (5.39%). Conditions most frequently associated with infection included the water source, defecation site, personal hygiene, and the extent of maternal education.Conclusion:The study shows a relatively high prevalence of intestinal helminths and suggests an imperative for the implementation of control measures.

Prevalence Of Intestinal Helminthiasis In Nursery And Primary School Children In Enugu Metropolis,

Context: Intestinal helminthiasis affect the nutritional status of school aged children. Objective: o determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Methods: A cross-sectional survey on 460 nursery and primary school children from Enugu metropolis. The prevalence of helminthiasis in children aged 1 -10 years was determined using the kato-katz method. Stool samples were collected from nursery and primary school children into appropriately labeled clean specimen containers for examination. Questionnaires were administered by the researchers to obtain data from the children and from their guardians or parents. Results: Out of 460 nursery and primary school children who completed the study, only 32.6% of them had intestinal helminths demonstrated in their stool samples. The prevalent intestinal helminths included Ascaris lumbricoides (14.6%), hookworm (12.8%) and Trichuris trichiura (5.2%).The highest prevalence was seen in those aged between 9 and 10 years. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of intestinal helminths in Enugu. Attention should be given by the government to periodically carry out mass de worming exercise among nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Keywords: Children, Enugu, helminthes, Intestinal, prevalence Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 7 (1&2) 2008: pp. 42-46

Intestinal helminthiasis in children in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria: Evaluation of risk factors and habits

Various risk factors have been known to predispose children to intestinal helminths infections. We evaluated the impact of multisectoral risk factors on infection prevalence in school children using questionnaire and stool examination. Pupils' hawking habits, schools, classes, antihelminthic prophylaxis, parents' occupation and mothers' educational status were the significant risk factors identified. Logistic regression identified four of the aforementioned factors, age, sex, disposal of excreta and/or septic tanks overflow into open drainages as factors influencing prevalence in this population. Irregular deworming probably reduced the effect of prophylactic use of antihelminthic on prevalence. Hawkers (odds ratio = 3.78) and pupils living in faeces contaminated environs were identified as at risk groups. Public enlightenment campaigns on worms' infestation control strategies, including the reduction of environmental contamination with faeces should reduce intestinal helminthiasis in these children. African Journal of Clinical Experimental Microbiology Vol. 8 (2) 2007: pp. 107-113

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis in children: evidence from school based epidemiological study in an urban Nigerian community

The World Health Organization in 2002 estimated that more than one billion of the world's population is chronically infected with soil transmitted helminthes with 2 billion at risk. Children are important high risk group for soil transmitted helminthes since they are continuously being exposed to contaminated soil and water. Furthermore a large proportion of them are likely not to be aware of the need for good personal and environmental hygiene. To determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthes and factors associated with their transmission among primary school children. A cross sectional study design was used and multistage sampling technique was employed to select 250 children from the Primary Schools in Pakata, Ilorin West Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria. Independent variables were socio-demographic factors while dependent variables were knowledge and behaviours regarding personal and environmental hygiene in the control of soil transmitted helminthes. Proportions, confidence intervals, tests of significance were used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis was 47.4%, while 9.5% and 1.4% of the children had double and triple infections respectively. Ascariasis lumbricoides constitute 38.3% of the soil-transmitted helminthes seen, while Trichuri trichuria and Hookworm constitute 16.5% and 15.2% respectively. All the soil transmitted helminthes in the stool analyzed were in category 1 WHO classification of soil-transmitted helminthes classes of intensity. There is no statistical difference between the prevalence and intensity of infection (p Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 49(6) 2006: 148-153

Community's willingness to pay for a school-based chemotherapy programme to control morbidity due to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in children in rural Tanzania

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on a random sample of 523 households having at least one child attending primary school in 3 villages in Buchosa Division, Sengerema District, Tanzania. The aim was to determine the community's willingness to pay (WTP) for a school-based chemotherapy programme to control morbidity due to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) in schoolchildren and identify socio-economic and cultural factors influencing community's WTP. Results showed that households WTP for a school-based chemotherapy programme varied from Tanzanian Shillings (TShs.) 0-20,000 (US dollars 0-25) per child per year. The community's WTP (median of households WTP) was TSh. 1,000 (US dollars 1.25). The community was also willing to pay extra TSh.100 (US dollars 0.125) per year to cover for the cost of schoolchildren whose parents were unable to pay or who could pay less than the community's WTP. Age of household head and number of schoolchildren in a household had a negative effect on the household's willingness to pay. Households with children in expensive schools had high willingness to pay for the intervention package to control worms in their children. This was also observed in households keeping animals (cattle, goats, sheep, chiken, ducks) and those who cultivated a number of cash crops.

Intestinal Helminthiasis in Colombian Children Promotes a Th2 Response to Helicobacter pylori: Possible Implications for Gastric Carcinogenesis

Colombians living in coastal Tumaco have a lower incidence of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric cancer compared with residents of Pasto in the high Andes. Considering the risk for H. pylori disease seems affected by features of bacterial virulence and host polymorphisms, other poorly understood influences, such as concurrent helminthiasis, may also be important. Fecal samples from 211 children were tested for parasites and sera from another cohort of 159 children and 92 adults were tested for IgE and H. pylori-specific IgG. Most individuals (95%) from both areas were H. pylori seropositive, with a predominant response of IgG1 followed by IgG2 and low IgG3 and IgG4 antibodies. Compared with Pasto children, Tumaco children were more commonly infected with helminths (P = 0.000), had higher serum IgE levels (P < 0.03), and had higher Th2-associated IgG1 responses to H. pylori (P < 0.0002). Other IgG isotype responses all increased with age but were not significantly different between children and adults from either area. These results suggest that intestinal helminthiasis in children promotes Th2-polarizing responses to H. pylori and may decrease gastric cancer risk in these individuals later in life. Concurrent helminthiasis may alter inflammatory responses to H. pylori and thus affect the progression of gastritis to gastric atrophy, dysplasia, and cancer.

Albendazole in the treatment of intestinal helminthiasis in children.

A single dose of 2% albendazole suspension (400 mg in 20 ml) was administered to 77 patients (42 males and 35 females), ages ranging between 2 to 12 years, with helminthic infections. Ascariasis was the most prevalent infection. Patients were followed-up for 3 weeks. The results showed that albendazole was highly effective against Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Enterobius vermicularis. Significant improvement was also observed in patients having infections due to Trichuris trichiura. Albendazole was well tolerated and did not produce any significant side-effects. Single dose albendazole appears to be appropriate for mass chemotherapy to control intestinal nematode infections in highly infected communities.

TERTIAN, QUARTAN AND MIXED MALARIAL INFECTIONS

ALTHOUGH the disease entities which one meets on the Isthmus of Panama are similar to those encountered in temperate zones, their incidence is altered by climate, mode of living and sanitary conditions. This difference is particularly emphasized in the practice of pediatrics in Panama, where a pediatrician cannot help being impressed with the frequency of the malarial fevers and intestinal helminthiasis in children. Instead of being of minor medical importance, as they are in most parts of the United States, these infections are so prevalent as to be matters of prime clinical significance. Studies of helminthiasis and malaria on the Isthmus of Panama were undertaken. Reports dealing with the common intestinal parasites observed here have been published elsewhere.¹ Relatively little of the extensive literature on malaria deals with the effects of the disease on children. In some reports, it is suggested that malaria in children is similar to malaria

Intestinal Helminthiasis: Clinical Survey of Six Hundred and Eighteen Cases of Infection with Common Intestinal Helminths in Children

One cannot practice pediatrics in the tropics without being impressed by the frequency of infection with intestinal parasites. These infections are widely prevalent on the Isthmus of Panama where instead of being chiefly of academic interest as they are in most of the United States, they are of prime clinical importance. Excellent contributions to the knowledge of helminthiasis have appeared in the literature. These detailed accounts, however, have been devoted more to biologic than to clinical aspects, particularly as the latter relate to children. The discussions devoted to symptoms, physical findings and treatment have been brief, confusing, and frequently not borne out by observation. These existing misconceptions concerning the incidence, clinical manifestations and treatment of intestinal helminthiasis in children prompted this survey. Source Material This study deals with 518 children infected with intestinal parasites who were admitted to the pediatric wards of Gorgas Hospital, Ancon, Canal Zone from January 1, 1941 to January 1, 1944.

HELMINTHIASIS IN CHILDREN

The subject of helminthiasis in children has been revived in the literature in the last few years. The statistics as given in the text-books have been drawn from the clinical work in hospitals and private practice and are naturally inaccurate, as many of the cases show no symptoms and the clinical examinations have not been controlled by careful laboratory examination. In the last few years, however, there have been two investigations reported, based on thoroughly scientific work. The earlier work, that of Stiles and Garrison, reported in 1906, gives a thorough digest of the voluminous literature and was practically the only report on the subject in the United States until Schloss reported his series of 310 cases from the clinics of three hospitals in New York. The latter report was the direct stimulus for the present investigation. The percentage of infections (28.57 per cent.) reported in this paper being so