Intestinal Parasites In Children Research Articles

The Prevalence of Some Intestinal Parasites in children of Karbala Provence

The Prevalence of Some Intestinal Parasites in children of Karbala Provence

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitosis in Children of a Primary School in Pedro Juan Caballero - PY

Introduction: Parasitosis is a type of endoparasitism, which is directly related to sanitary conditions and is an important public health problem in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children attending a primary public school in Pedro Juan Caballero - PY. Materials and Methods: 85 (eighty-five) stool samples were analyzed using the centrifugal sedimentation technique. Results: Cysts and/or parasite eggs were observed in the stool samples of 67 (78.8%) children. Giardia lamblia cysts were those that showed the highest incidence in the children. Conclusion: The high Giardia lamblia index demonstrates the lack of access to drinking water for consumption, inadequate sanitation and the absence of a public health network. This study highlights the importance of encouraging the use of serial analysis of stool, strengthening preventive measures for parasitosis, developing protocols for their approach, and designing a strategy that includes the preschool population in the programs that periodically evaluate the development of children.

Intestinal parasitism in children of six schools, urban and rural areas, of Jipijapa Canton, Ecuador

Intestinal parasitism in children of six schools, urban and rural areas, of Jipijapa Canton, Ecuador

Infections with Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar as Hidden and Prevalent Conditions in Periurban Communities in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This study aims to assess the prevalence, distribution, and etiological profile of intestinal parasitism in children living in periurban areas in Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A community-based cross-sectional survey (n = 479) was carried out. Prevalence of infection with G. duodenalis and E. histolytica/E. dispar was 8.6% (n = 41) and 13.4% (n = 64), respectively. Infection with G. duodenalis was significantly more frequent among children living in poor families (24/187 (12.8%) vs. 16/272 (5.9%); prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19–3.99; p=0.011). This difference was also significant for infection with any pathogenic parasite (43/187 (23%) vs. 40/272 (14/7%); PR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06–2.30; p=0.026). In addition, people residing in houses with more than four inhabitants showed significantly higher positivity for infections with G. duodenalis and with E. histolytica/E. dispar (22/138 (15.9%) vs. 16/311 (5.1%); PR = 3.09; 95% CI = 1.68–5.71; p < 0.001 for G. duodenalis and 32/138 (23.2%) vs. 30/311 (9.6%); PR = 2.40; 95% CI = 1.52–3.79; p < 0.001 for E. histolytica/E. dispar). Laboratory diagnosis of protozoan enteric infections and effective drugs for their treatment are unmet goals in the primary health care system. Therefore, giardiasis and amebiasis are neglected conditions.

Prevalence and Pattern of Intestinal Parasites in Children in Al-Diwaniyah City, Middle Iraq

Prevalence and Pattern of Intestinal Parasites in Children in Al-Diwaniyah City, Middle Iraq

Evaluation of intestinal parasites in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria in a territory hospital in Turkey.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) which develops without a known stimulation is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema or both for longer than six weeks. Infections, autoimmunity, food intolerance and internal parasitic infections are supposed to be underlying causes of CSU. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal parasites in children and adult patients diagnosed as CSU, to determine the frequency of parasites in chronic urticaria, and to compare these patients with healthy demographic control groups. Seventy six children and 38 adult patients with CSU were examined in terms of parasitic infections. The patients whom parasites were detected received anti-parasitic therapy and the improvements in CSU symptoms were evaluated. Stool samples were examined with direct microscopic examination (native-lugol), stool concentration and trichrome staining methods. In pediatric patient group, 18.4% (n = 14) of the stool samples were positive for Blastocystis sp., 2.6% (n = 2), Dientamoeba fragilis and 1.3% (n = 1), Giardia duodenalis. In adult patient group, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 18.4% (n = 7) of the stool samples. Anti-parasitic therapy yielded substantial improvement in urticaria symptoms in 57.1% of pediatric and 60.0% of adult patients. Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis may play a role in chronic urticaria which seriously disrupts the patient's quality of life. Parasitic infections should not be neglected in patients with cutaneous manifestations.

Prevalence and influencing factors of intestinal parasitic diseases among rural children in Henan Province

To understand the epidemic status and influencing factors of intestinal parasitic diseases among rural children in Henan Province. According to the Scheme for The National Survey on Current Status of Major Human Parasitic Diseases in China, the survey counties were selected based on the ecological zones and economic levels in Henan Province between 2014 and 2015. Then, the included counties were stratified according to the topography and economic levels. A township was randomly sampled from each stratum, and a village was randomly sampled from each township as the study site. Finally, a total of 104 study sites from 35 counties were enrolled for the survey of intestinal parasitic diseases in children. At least 250 fresh stool samples were collected from each study site for detection of intestinal helminth eggs with the Kato-Katz technique, for the identification of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale with the fecal culture method, and for the detection of intestinal protozoa trophozoite and cyst with the physiological saline smear and iodine staining techniques. In addition, the Enterobius vermicularis and tapeworm eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 3.21% (214/6 671) among rural children in Henan Province, and the prevalence of intestinal helminthes (2.62%, 175/6 671) was higher than that of intestinal protozoa (0.60%, 40/6 671). A total of 12 species of intestinal parasites were found, including 4 nematodes species, one trematode species, and 7 protozoa species, and the highest infection was seen in E. vermicularis (2.47%, 161/6 671). Among the four ecological zones in Henan Province, the greatest prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was detected among children in the Qinba Mountain Ecological Zone (5.85%, 90/1 538). There was no gender-specific difference in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (P > 0.05); however, there were age- (χ2 = 32.762, P < 0.05) and education level-specific differences in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in children (χ2 = 67.507, P < 0.05), with the greatest prevalence of E. vermicularis infection seen in all species of intestinal parasites in children at all age groups. Multivariate non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that high education level, high coverage of harmless toilets, drinking tap water and deworming were protective factors for intestinal parasitic infections in children in Henan Province. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline among children in Henan Province as compared to the previous two surveys. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections shows a tendency towards a remarkable decline among children in Henan Province. E. vermicularis infection should be given a priority for future parasitic disease control activities among rural children in Henan Province.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Children Under Age 10 Years in Baghdad Governorate

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Children Under Age 10 Years in Baghdad Governorate

Occurrence of intestinal parasites in Mayan children from Yucatán, Mexico

Parasitic intestinal infections occur worldwide and affect the poorest and deprived populations. In Mexico, indigenous peoples live with the highest levels of poverty and marginalization. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of intestinal parasites among Mayan children from the villages of Xkalakdzonot and Paraíso in Yucatán State. Stool samples from 83 children were examined using two coproparasitological tests (formalin-ethyl acetate concentration and FLOTAC Pellet techniques). The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in children was 65.1%. Six protozoa and four helminths were identified. Blastocystis sp. (44.6%), Giardia intestinalis (26.5%), and Entamoeba coli (26.5%) were the most prevalent parasites. The prevalence of helminth infections (7.1%) was lower in children from Xkalakdzonot than in Paraíso (29.3%). The study provides relevant information on the occurrence of intestinal parasites in Mayan children from two villages. This data, therefore, can be used by local health authorities to plan appropriate programs for parasite control, considering suitable drug therapies and health education.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and risk factors with emphasis on Enterobius vermicularis in children of daycares and preparatory schools of the city of Khodabandeh, Northwestern Iran

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are considered as a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children in the developing countries. The present study was aimed at examining the status of IPIs in the children of daycares and preparatory schools in the city of Khodabandeh located at Northwestern Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 520 daycare and preprimary school-age children in the northwest of Iran were tested for the presence of intestinal parasites using direct smear and the standard formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Furthermore, the specific “scotch tape” test was used to identify the eggs of pinworm Enterobius vermicularis. Results: Of total 520 children, 55 cases (10.6%) were infected to intestinal parasites, including 9.2% monoparasitism and 1.4% double-parasitism. The prevalence rate for protozoan infections was 7.3% and 3.65% for helminths. Giardia lamblia infection was shown to have the highest prevalence rate among intestinal protozoa by 3.26%. The prevalence rate for E. vermicularis was 3.5% using “scotch tape” test and stool examination. There was a significant correlation between infection with intestinal parasites and daycares (P = 0.004). A significant inverse correlation was established between anal itching (as a sign of E. vermicularis infections) and hand-washing in children using soap or hand-washing liquid (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Infection with intestinal parasites in children of nursery schools and preschools of the study region, compared to the previous situation, is considerably decreased.

Helicobacter pylori and enteric parasites co-infection among diarrheic and non-diarrheic Egyptian children: seasonality, estimated risks, and predictive factors

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and intestinal parasites are known for their high prevalence in children. Both of them infect the gastrointestinal tract with overlapping clinical pictures. This study was conducted to determine H. pylori prevalence and its association with intestinal parasites in children, moreover to estimate risk and predictive factors for their detection in stool samples. Single fecal samples were collected from 226 Egyptian pediatric patients (125 diarrheic and 101 non-diarrheic) attending gastroenterology outpatients' clinics, from February 2016 to June 2017. All stool specimens were microscopically examined to search for ova and parasites. Copro-DNAs detection of H. pylori and Cryptosporidium were performed using nested-PCR assays. H. pylori was detected molecularly in 36.8% of the total study population, with a higher prevalence in diarrheic than in non-diarrheic children. Intestinal parasites were detected in 27.4% of the total study populations, of these, 43.9% had co-existence with H. pylori colonized patients and was significantly associated with Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis. Estimated risk of the presence of H. pylori was in January. Our data provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of H. pylori infection when associated with intestinal parasites. H. pylori co-existence with G. intestinals and Cryptosporidium may suggest the association of H. pylori infection with markers of fecal exposure. Whether H. pylori provides favorable conditions for intestinal parasitosis or vice versa, still further investigations are needed with an emphasis upon determining correlation with gut microbiomes.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Children Living in Various Living Conditions in Slovakia

The purpose of the present study was to identify the prevalence of intestinal parasites among the children (aged ≤ 18 years) living in various living conditions in the Eastern Slovakia. Their faecal samples were examined applying the flotation concentration technique to verify the presence of helminth eggs and cysts of protozoan parasites. The evidence of Enterobius vermicularis pinworm was obtained using the perianal tape test. The diagnostics of the Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts was carried out applying the Kinyoun staining technique. The examined faecal samples were collected from 565 children living in Medzev (340 Roma children from the segregated Roma settlement; 123 children from the majority population; 33 children from the orphanage; 35 children from the elementary school; and 34 children from the kindergarten). They were divided into 5 age subgroups. In children from the segregated Roma settlement, the eggs of six helminth species: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostomatidae family, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia spp., Enterobius vermicularis and two protozoan species: Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected. The highest number of positive samples was observed in the group of children aged 6-9 years. In the majority group of children, the eggs of A. lumbricoides, Taenia spp., E. vermicularis and the cysts of G. duodenalis were detected. The species detected in children from the orphanage included A. lumbricoides, H. nana, E. vermicularis and the cysts of G. duodenalis. Children attending the 3rd year of the elementary school and the kindergarten presented with the eggs of A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis and the cysts of G. duodenalis. The examination of soil was performed applying the Kazacos’ technique and the samples were collected from the area surrounding the houses and drinking water sources in the segregated settlement. It revealed high occurrence of parasites in infective stages. The results presented herein indicate that the environmental factors contribute to the circulation of parasites among children and affect their health.

Prevalencia De Parasitismo Intestinal Y Su Asociacion Con El Estado Nutricional En Niños Del Municipio De Galapa, Atlántico-Colombia

The purpose of this research is to characterize the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children between two to ten years old, and its relation with their nutritional status. 123 children were assessed, from a secondary school in the town of Galapa at the Atlantico department, in the Colombian Caribbean region (Colombia). After informed consent from their parents, after children were weighed and carved, stool samples were collected in triplicate/duplicate. Samples were processed using the sedimentation technique by centrifugation and kato katz. Our results showed parasitism in 39% of the population with a 38% of the individuals infected by protozoa and a 0.8 % with helminths. Analysis by gender showed that there were not statistical significant difference with 20.3% boys were infected compared with 17.1% of the girls. Furthermore, parasites prevalence was not statistically different when analyzed by gender. The parasites with the highest prevalence were: Giardia duodenalis (7.7 %), Blastocystis spp (6.8 %) and Endolimax nana (3.0 %) and children were found infected with polyparasitism by G. duodenalis + Blastocystis spp (1.7 %) y Entamoeba histolytica + Endolimax nana (0.4 %). The children that presented parasitism had a normal size and average weight of 124.8 cm 27.5g respectively. Most children with parasitism had a normal nutritional status (21.1 %), some were overweight (8.1 %) and obesity (4.9 %), and there were no children at risk of thinness and malnutrition. Our findings suggest that there is not significant correlation between the presence of parasites and the dietary habits in this population.

Epidemiological and clinical profile of intestinal parasitosis of children in rural areas in Central African Republic

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of intestinal parasites in children in rural Central African Republic. Patients and methodsWe conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in Central African Republic rural areas. Children seen as outpatients regardless of the reason for consultation were included in the study after parental consent. Each stool sample sent to the laboratory in a plastic pot was subjected to a direct co-examination with physiological water. ResultsA total of 102 children were included in the study, of whom 53 were boys (51.96%), the median age was 4 years (3 months; 15 years old). They had a primary level of education in 31.37% of cases, 76.47% came from Health Region 1. Drilling was the source of drinking water in 61.76% of cases and the backwater was used for bathing by 26.47% of children. Abdominal pain was observed in 55 children (53.92%). The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 88.23%. Of 122 identified parasites, 96 were helminths (78.69%) and 26 were protozoa (21.31%). Of the three protozoan species isolated, Entamoeba histolytica was found in 15 cases (14.70%). The most common helminthiasis was Ascaris lumbricoides (40.19%). The frequency of parasitic infection was 92% in children aged from 5 to 9 years. Mono-parasitism was observed in 52.94% versus 33.33% for poly-parasitism. ConclusionIntestinal parasitosis is a public health problem in Central African Republic rural areas. Improving access to drinking water for populations could reduce the magnitude of these diseases.

Determination of most frequent opportunistic intestinal parasites in children

Determination of most frequent opportunistic intestinal parasites in children

Prospective Study of Intestinal Parasites in Children Hospitalized in the Pediatric Department at the Hospital in El Eldrissi (Kenitra City - Morocco)

The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiology and prevalence of intestinal parasites in children hospitalized in the pediatric ward at the hospital El Eldrissi Kenitra during the period 2011 from the month February to May. During the study period a prevalence of 49% was recorded among the whole sample studied. The male is the most parasitized with 63%. The mean age was 6.5 ± 0.39 year. Child aged 4 to 10 years are most affected with a frequency of 57%. The majority of parasitised patients were from rural areas (64%). The results of the parasitological analysis showed predominance of protozoa (90.6%) compared with Helminths (9.4%).

Molecular Epidemiology of Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium among Indigenous Children from the Colombian Amazon Basin.

The incidence and prevalence of intestinal parasites in children is most likely due to lack of natural or acquired resistance and differences in behavior and habits closely related to environmental and socioeconomic determinants. The most important protozoa that parasitize humans are Giardia, Entamoeba, Blastocystis, and Cryptosporidium. These parasites present wide intraspecific genetic diversity and subsequently classified into assemblages and subtypes. The Amazon basin is the largest in the world and is the fifth freshwater reserve on the planet. Contradictorily, people living in these areas (Indigenous populations) have poor quality of life, which favors the infection of diseases of fecal-oral transmission. The aim of this work was to unravel the molecular epidemiology of Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium across four communities (Puerto Nariño, San Juan del Soco, Villa Andrea and Nuevo Paraíso). We obtained 284 fecal samples from children under 15 years old that were analyzed by direct microscopy (261 samples) and Real Time PCR (qPCR) (284 samples). The positive samples for these protozoa were further characterized by several molecular markers to depict assemblages and subtypes. We observed a frequency of Giardia infection by microscopy of 23.7% (62 samples) and by qPCR of 64.8% (184 samples); for Blastocystis by microscopy of 35.2% (92 samples) and by qPCR of 88.7% (252 samples) and for Cryptosporidium only 1.9% (5 samples) were positive by microscopy and qPCR 1.8% (5 samples). Regarding the Giardia assemblages, using the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) marker we observed AI, BIII and BIV assemblages and when using triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) we observed assemblages AI, AII, BIII and BIV. In contrast, Blastocystis STs detected were 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Lastly, the species C. viatorum, C. hominis (with the subtypes IdA19 and IaA12R8) and C. parvum (with the subtype IIcA5G3c) were identified. We observed a high profile of zoonotic transmission regarding the Giardia assemblages and Blastocystis STs/alleles. Also, we highlight the elevated frequency of infection by these two protozoans suggesting an active transmission in the area. Our findings reinforces the need to deploy better epidemiological surveillance systems for enteric pathogens in the area.

A developmental toxicity assay of Carpesii Fructus on zebrafish embryos/larvae.

Carpesii Fructus, the dried fruit of Carpesium abrotanoides L., has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to kill intestinal parasites in children. It has been recorded as a mildly toxic medicine in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. However, little proof of its toxicology has been reported in modern pharmacology. This study investigated for the first time its developmental toxicity on zebrafish embryos/larvae from 6 to 96 h post-fertilization (hpf). In addition, the enzymes and genes associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis were tested to investigate the potential toxicologic mechanism preliminarily. The observation of toxicologic endpoints showed the developmental toxicity of Carpesii Fructus. Pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, bleeding tendency, and enlarged yolk were the most commonly occurring morphological changes observed in our study. According to the results of acridine orange staining and morphological observation, the developing heart was speculated to be the target organ of toxicity. Furthermore, Carpesii Fructus exposure changed the activities of defense enzymes, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, decreased caspase-3 activity, and altered mRNA levels of related genes (ogg1, p53, Cu/Zn-Sod, Mn-Sod, and Cat↓; Gpx↑) in zebrafish larvae, indicating that oxidative stress and additional apoptosis should have roles in the developmental toxicity of Carpesii Fructus. This is the first study that provides proof of modern pharmacology on the teratogenicity and possible toxicologic mechanism of Carpesii Fructus.

Study on Intestinal Helminth Parasites in School Children of Rangeli Municipality of Morang District in Eastern Nepal

This study was accomplished on school children with the objective to define the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites. A total of 3000 of stool samples were randomly collected from children of five schools in Rangeli municipality and were examined by a routine by saline and smear techniques. 83.3% stool samples were infected with helminth parasites. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was Ascaris lumbricoides (50.92%); Ancylostoma duodenale (44.56%); Trichuris trichiura (1.96%); Enterobius vermicularis (1.44%); Hymenolepis nana (1.12%). The lack of safe drinking water, food, poverty, unhygienic practices and poor environmental condition were found to be contributing factors in the maintenance of high prevalence rate of intestinal parasites infections. Parasites control programs with hygienic practice and improvement of environmental conditions along with the treatment of infected peoples may be helpful in reducing the burden of helminth intestinal parasites in children. Hygienic conditions benefit people at personal and community level and, ultimately contributes to promoting the health status of people.

Elevada prevalencia de Blastocystis spp. en niños de una escuela periurbana

Introducción. La parasitosis intestinal es un grave problema de salud pública en países en vía de desarrollo; la blastocistosis es una parasitosis emergente. Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de infección por Blastocystis spp. y de otros enteroparásitos en niños de una escuela periurbana. Diseño. Estudio observacional y transversal. Lugar. Escuela ubicada en el distrito de Yura en Arequipa, Perú. Participantes. 83 niños, entre 4 y 8 años de edad. Intervenciones. Las muestras de heces de los niños fueron analizadas con el método Teleman modificado; se hizo un análisis descriptivo a través del cálculo de frecuencias. Principales medidas de resultados. Presencia del parásito intestinal. Resultados. La prevalencia de Blastocystis spp. fue 81,9% (68/83), la prevalencia global de parásitos fue 96,4% (80/83); además, 80,7% (67/83) tenía más de un tipo de parásito. Conclusiones. Existe una elevada prevalencia de Blastocystis spp. y de otros enteroparásitos; también, un elevado poliparasitismo en la población escolar estudiada. Es el primer estudio realizado en dicha comunidad.