Prevalence Of Hookworm Infection Research Articles

Factors associated with hookworm and Schistosoma mansoni infections among school-aged children in Mayuge district, Uganda

BackgroundHookworm infection and schistosomiasis are two of sub-Saharan Africa's most common neglected tropical diseases. An annual mass drug administration (MDA) program against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), including hookworm, has been implemented in Mayuge district, Uganda, since 2003 to date. However, hookworm and schistosomiasis remain prevalent in Mayuge district. Understanding the factors that predispose children to these infections in the context of MDA could inform interventions to reduce prevalence in Uganda and similar settings.MethodThis cross-sectional study took place in 33 randomly selected primary schools in the Mayuge district from January to February 2022. Children in primary classes 4 or 5, in the selected schools provided single stool samples and completed questionnaires. Stool specimens were examined using the Kato-Katz method to determine the prevalence of hookworm and schistosomiasis. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to assess the associations of each infection with potential risk factors.ResultA total of 1,617 students (mean age 12.1 years, 50.1% male) were enrolled. The prevalence of hookworm infection and schistosomiasis was 21.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 19.8–23.9%) and 18.7% (95% CI: 16.8–20.7%), respectively. In multivariable analysis, longer water fetching time (over 30 min versus less than 30 min) and working daily in the soil were associated with increased odds of hookworm infection (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.49, 95% CI: 1.13–1.96 and 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03–1.82, respectively). Higher odds of schistosomiasis were linked to proximity to water bodies within a one-hour walking distance (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.35–2.50), and not always washing hands before eating (AOR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.50–2.67). Swimming, bathing, or washing in water bodies twice a week, compared to never, also increased schistosomiasis odds (AOR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.66–5.13).ConclusionConsistent with the mechanisms of acquisition, hookworm infection increased with exposure to soil, and schistosomiasis increased with exposure to unclean water. Our findings highlight the importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene programs and strategies aimed at reducing exposure within the framework of Neglected Tropical Disease elimination programs.

Ecological Risk Factors of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Sourrounding Desforestration Areas East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Aims: The study to assess the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis/ S. stercoralis infection, and to correlate environmental risk factors with the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection.
 Study Design: We perform a cross-sectional study in rural community in Muarakaman and Marangkayu district to analysis of geography, texture of soil, humidity, hookworm and strongyloides in pet, vegetation, elevation, volume rain, the number of days of rain yearly, temperature and quality of soil as clay content, organic carbon of soil and pH of soil then was correlated with prevalence of strongyloidiasis..
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in rural area of Muarakaman District and Marangkayu District East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. This research is a community based, had conducted during 2021-2022.
 Methodology: This study would show the infection rates, correlation analysis between environmental risk factors and prevalence of hookworm infection with statistical analysis. We performed a cross-sectional study among 213 participants from rural community. In this study used two diagnostic methods: Kato Katz and Koga agar plate culture/KAP culture for diagnosing of S. stercoralis infection. Pearson chi-square analysis was used for study correlation between ecological risk factors S. stercoralis infection.
 Results: S. stercoralis infection was found in this study; 34 (8.0%), Ecological risk factors have significant correlation and high odd ratio of prevalence of S. stercoralis infection. Ecological risk factors have significant correlation and high odd ratio of prevalence of S. stercoralis infection such as district, humidity, temperature, volume and amount day of rain organic carbon of soil, elevation of location from above a sea
 Conclusion: The Ecological risk factors of the infections could be used in preventing program to reduce the prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis infection.

Epidemiological and molecular updates on hookworm species in dogs from southern Italy

BackgroundThe zoonotic hookworms Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are widespread soil-transmitted helminths in dogs in Europe. Given the veterinary and public health importance of hookworms in dogs and the recent changes in the molecular epidemiology of some species, there is a need to continuously monitor the epidemiological and molecular prevalence of these parasites also at the “local” level. The present study aimed to update the epidemiological scenario of hookworm infections in both owned and stray dogs in southern Italy and to discriminate between different hookworm species (A. caninum and U. stenocephala) through molecular analyses. For this purpose, a retrospective analysis was performed over 10 years (2011–2021), including a total of 7008 owned dogs and 5642 stray dogs referred to our laboratory for copromicroscopic examinations. Moreover, 72 faecal samples, from dogs naturally infected by hookworms, were used to discriminate between A. caninum and U. stenocephala using two PCR protocols. Prior to molecular analyses, a subsample of 40/72 positive faecal samples was used for morphometric investigations on hookworm eggs.ResultsThe results of the ten-year retrospective analysis (2011–2021) showed an overall prevalence of hookworm infection of 9.16%, specifically 5.1% in owned dogs and 14.2% in stray dogs. Logistic regression showed a significant association between positivity to hookworms and the variable “puppies” both in stray (13.84%; OR = 2.4) and owned (7.07%; OR = 2.2) dogs. The results of molecular analyses showed that positivity was confirmed only in 21/72 samples, specifically, 6 samples using protocol A and 19 with protocol B. Sequencing revealed 15 samples positive to U. stenocephala and 6 to A. caninum.ConclusionsThe findings of this study showed a high prevalence of hookworm infections in dogs in southern Italy, updating the epidemiological scenario of the last decade. Moreover, the results of the study revealed the first identification of hookworm species in dogs in Italy by molecular studies, highlighting that U. stenocephala is more prevalent than A. caninum.

Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in HIV patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Soil-transmitted Helminth (STH) infections have been found associated with people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but little is known about the overall burden of STH coinfection in HIV patients. We aimed to assess the burden of STH infections among HIV patients. Relevant databases were systematically searched for studies reporting the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic pathogens in HIV patients. Pooled estimates of each helminthic infection were calculated. The odds ratio was also determined as a measure of the association between STH infection and the HIV status of the patients. Sixty-one studies were finally included in the meta-analysis, consisting of 16,203 human subjects from all over the world. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in HIV patients was found to be 8% (95% CI 0.06, 0.09), the prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection in HIV patients was found to be 5% (95% CI 0.04, 0.06), the prevalence of hookworm infection in HIV patients was found to be 5% (95% CI 0.04, 0.06), and prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in HIV patients was found to be 5% (95% CI 0.04, 0.05). Countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & Caribbean and Asia were identified with the highest burden of STH-HIV coinfection. Our analysis indicated that people living with HIV have a higher chance of developing Strongyloides stercoralis infections and decreased odds of developing hookworm infections. Our findings suggest a moderate level of prevalence of STH infections among people living with HIV. The endemicity of STH infections and HIV status both are partially responsible for the burden of STH-HIV coinfections.

Sewerage as a protective factor for prevalence of hookworm infection in schoolchildren in Brazil: A multilevel ecological analysis of national prevalence surveys (1950–2018)

IntroductionThe prevalence of hookworm infection in Brazil has decreased considerably in recent decades. However, there is no definitive consensus as to which changes have contributed to this reduction. A hypothesis is that improvements in environmental factors have contributed to lowering the parasite load and the level of host-parasite contact. MethodsThis is an ecological study using unbalanced panel data from two Brazilian surveys (1947–1953 and 2010–2015), with municipalities as the analysis unit. The sample comprised 1428 municipalities, in which a total of 745,983 schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 were examined. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models, with fixed and random effects were estimated to evaluate the association of potential explanatory variables with the prevalence of hookworm infection at a significance level of 5 %. ResultsWe identified a significant decrease in the prevalence between the first and last analyzed periods (RR 0.096; CI 0.086–0.107); The following variables were found to have a protective effect: access to sanitary sewage systems (RR 0.984, CI 0.982–0.986), urbanization (RR 0.995, CI 0.993–0.997), and gross domestic product (RR 0.929, CI 0.912–0.945). ConclusionThe findings of this study show a decrease in the prevalence of hookworm infections over six decades in schoolchildren in the Brazilian municipalities. Environmental, demographic, and economic factors were associated with this trend. A historical analysis indicates that interventions aimed at improving sanitation contributed to reducing the disease prevalence.

Prevalence and influencing factors of human soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021

To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021, so as to provide insights into the development of targeted control measures against soil-transmitted nematodiasis. Permanent residents at ages of 3 years and older were sampled in Ningbo City using a multi-stage sampling method each year during the period from 2016 to 2021. Soil-transmitted nematode eggs were detected in stool samples using a modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (two slides for each stool sample), and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were additionally identified among children at ages of 3 to 12 years using the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method. The time- and regions-specific prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was calculated, and the factors affecting hookworm infections were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model. A total of 11 573 person-times were detected for soil-transmitted nematode infections in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021, and 296 egg-positives were detected, with a mean prevalence rate of 2.56% [95% confidential interval (CI): (2.28%, 2.87%)]. Hookworm was the predominant species of soil-transmitted nematode among egg-positives in Ningbo City (98.31%, 291/296), and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hook-worm infections among years (χ2 = 190.27, P < 0.01). The highest prevalence of hook-worm infections was observed in Ninghai County (4.06%), and there was a region-specific prevalence rate of hookworm infection in Ningbo City (χ2 = 148.43, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly residents at ages of over 60 years [odds ratio (OR)= 1.94, 95% CI: (1.07, 3.54), P < 0.05], males [OR = 2.19, 95% CI: (1.72, 2.80), P < 0.01], farmers [OR = 6.94, 95% CI: (3.37, 14.29), P < 0.01] and residents with a low education level [illiteracy or semi-illiterate: OR = 3.82, 95% CI: (1.56, 9.35), P < 0.05; primary school: OR = 2.70, 95% CI: (1.11, 6.59), P < 0.05] were at a higher risk for hookworm infections. The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted nematode infections was low among residents in Ningbo City from 2016 to 2021. The surveillance and health education for human hookworm disease remain to be reinforced among male farmers with a low education level at ages of over 60 years in Ninghai County.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hookworm Infection among Primary School Children in Three Selected Schools in Moriba Town, Southern Sierra Leone

Background: In tropical and subtropical developing nations, hookworm is the main cause of maternal and childhood illnesses. In vulnerable children, hookworm causes cognitive and growth retardation, intrauterine growth delay, prematurity, and low birth weight among newborns of infected mothers. The research aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hookworm infection among primary school children in three selected schools in the study area. Methods: This study utilized a case-control research approach. Stool specimens were collected and analyzed for intestinal parasites from children in classes 1-6. A total of sixty (60) enrolled students between the ages of 5 and 15 were chosen at random from three primary schools in Moriba town, Bo city, southern Sierra Leone. Results: The research findings revealed that the prevalence of hookworm infection was 47.4% among 5-7 years in the study area. The findings also demonstrated that there was no connection between the children’s sex and hookworm infection. It was discovered that women had a higher risk of contracting an infection than men. The prevalence of hookworm among the children and the accessibility of toilets in the home were significantly correlated. A significant association with hookworm infection was shown in the toilet facility type. Conclusion: Hookworm infections are extremely frequent in Sierra Leone among schoolchildren and are a major cause of the disease. Poor personal and environmental hygiene, poverty, and a favourable climate are important variables for the sustainability of transmission, but no policy-driven effort to prevent it has been made.

Prevalence and risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers in Anhui Province from 2018 to 2019

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers in Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategy and interventions for hookworm human infections. A total of 1 179 vegetable growers were randomly sampled from 7 counties in Anhui province according to the natural ecological function areas in 2018 and 2019, and the basic features and risk factors of hookworm infections were collected from all subjects using a self-designed questionnaire, including living environment, vegetable planting and fertilization, type of household crops, animal feeding, hygiene and labor habits. In addition, stool samples were collected from all participants, and each stool sample was subjected to twice tests with the Kato-Katz technique. The risk factors of hookworm infections were identified among vegetable growers with the Bayesian log-binomial regression model. The prevalence of hookworm infection was 3.90% among the 1 179 vegetable growers. The prevalence of hookworm infection was 10.07% (15/149) among unemployed subjects, 5.32% (31/583) among farmers, and 0 among full-time vegetable growers (0/377) and subjects with other occupations (0/70), and there was a significant difference among subjects in terms of occupation (χ2=36.37, P < 0.01). Bayesian log-binomial regression analysis showed that fertilization with human feces [relative risk (RR)=18.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): (4.31, 77.17)], barefoot labor in vegetable fields [RR=2.86, 95% CI: (1.43, 5.70)], and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River [RR=4.19, 95% CI: (1.19, 14.81)] were independent risk factors of hookworm infections among vegetable growers. Stratified analysis showed that fertilization with human feces, barefoot labor in vegetable fields, drinking well water or mountain spring, and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River were independent risk factors of hookw, orm infection among farmers, and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and growing rice were independent risk factors of hookw, orm infection among unemployed individuals. The prevalence of hookworm infection is high among vegetable growers in Anhui Province, and fertilization with human feces, barefoot labor in vegetable fields and living in plain ecological areas along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are risk factors of hookw, orm infections among vegetable growers.

Hookworm in Stray Cats (Felis silvestris catus) as Cutaneous Larva Migrant Agent (CLM) in Humans

Highlights : Risk factors that can increase the incidence of CLM in humans include male sex, children aged &lt;15 years, low-income people, and daily behaviour of walking outdoors without using footwear, especially on the sand. Risk factors that play the most role in increasing the incidence of CLM in humans are walking outdoors without using footwear, especially on the sand. Abstract : Cats arethe host of a wide variety of microorganisms including ectoparasites and endoparasites.One of theendoparasites that infect cats is hookworm. The hookworms consists of two groups, the animal hookworms, and the human hookworms. The manifestation that can be caused by animal hookworms to humans is Cutaneous Larva Migrant (CLM). This study aimed to discover whether hookworm in stray cats (Felis silvestris catus) can cause CLM in humans. We performed a systematic search in Pubmed/Medline and Cochrane published between 2016 and 2021 with no restrictions by language, research country, or type of research design . The results of the analysis showed that the high level of hookworms infection in stray cats could increase the risk of CLM in humans. Based on the study, we could conclude that the high prevalence of hookworm infection in cats plays an important role in the increased risk of zoonoses in humans which in turn could also increase the prevalence of CLM in humans.

Prevalence of hookworm infections among stray dogs and molecular identification of hookworm species for the first time in Bangladesh.

Hookworms are the most common and voracious blood-sucking parasites of the small intestines of mammalian hosts such as dogs, cats, ruminants and humans. Canine hookworms are endemic in the Southeast Asian countries including Bangladesh. There is scarcity of information on the prevalence of hookworms of stray dogs in Bangladesh. The present study determined the prevalence of canine hookworms using fecal examination followed by morphometric and molecular identification. Fecal samples were collected from 320 stray dogs living in rural areas of Mymensingh district (Gauripur upazila, Mymensingh sadar upazila and Tarakanda upazila) and hookworm eggs were identified using the flotation techniques. The overall prevalence of hookworm was 79.1% through microscopic examination. Estimated fecal prevalence was higher in Gauripur upazila (89.7%) followed by Mymensingh sadar upazila (84.8%) and Tarakanda upazila (53.2%). Five hookworm species were identified based on the morphometric examination, namely, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma duodenale, respectively. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed with the genomic DNA by targeting the 5.8S rRNA (~ 404bp) and Cytochrome oxidase-1 (Cox 1, ~ 450bp) and confirmed the identification for the first time in Bangladesh. This study reveals that stray dogs may act as reservoir hosts of human hookworm infection. Further detail molecular study is warranted to explore the genetic diversity of hookworms that infect both dogs and human in Bangladesh.

Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection and associated clinical symptoms among schoolchildren living in different altitudes of Amhara National Regional State, northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundStrongyloides stercoralis is a parasite that causes strongyloidiasis in humans. It is prevalent in the tropics and sub-tropics where poor sanitation is a common problem. The true prevalence of S. stercoralis in Ethiopia is underestimated due to the lack of a “Gold” standard diagnostic method. Moreover, its prevalence across altitudinal gradient in Amhara Region has not been studied.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 844 schoolchildren in Amhara Region from April to December 2019. A stool sample was collected from each study participant and processed using formol ether concentration technique (FECT), spontaneous tube sedimentation technique (STST), Baermann concentration technique (BCT), agar plate culture (APC) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were entered using EpiData and analyzed by SPSS version 23 statistical software. Prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was determined using a single diagnostic technique and combination of techniques. Association of clinical variables with S. stercoralis infection was assessed by logistic regression and independent variables with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsPrevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and S. mansoni infections was 38.0% and 20.4%, respectively. Among STHs, the prevalence of hookworm infection was 32.8%. Prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was 39.0%, 28.8%, 10.9%, 10.3%, 4.0% and 2.0% by the respective, combinations of the five methods, RT-PCR, APC, BCT, STST and FECT. The highest prevalence rates, 48.2%, 45.0% and 41.1% of S. stercoralis were recorded in the age group of 12–14 years, males and rural dwellers, respectively. Prevalence rates of S. stercoralis infection in highland, semi-highland and lowland areas were 40.4%, 41.8% and 25.9%, respectively. Having abdominal pain (AOR = 2.48; 95% CI:1.65–3.72), cough (AOR = 1.63;95%CI:1.09–2.42), urticaria (AOR = 2.49;95%CI:1.50–4.01) and being malnourished (AOR = 1.44;95%:1.10–2.01) were significantly associated with strongyloidiasis.ConclusionPrevalence of S. stercoralis infection was high and varied across different altitudes in Amhara Region. Some clinical syndromes were found to be significantly associated with S. stercoralis infection. Therefore, proper diagnosis and preventive strategies against S. stercoralis infection are highly recommended to be devised and implemented in Amhara Region.

Risk Factors that contributes to Hookworm Infection among Primary School Pupils in Some Communities of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate and possible risk factors associated with transmission of hookworm infection among primary school children in parts of Kaduna state, Nigeria. Nine hundred (900) faecal samples were collected and analyzed for hookworm infection using the direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. The data were subjected to chi-square analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and the significant level (0.05) determined at 95%confidence interval. The overall prevalence of the infection was 5.8%. The prevalence was higher among males 7.0% (32/457) and rainy season 7.1%. Also, the prevalence was highest among children aged 12-13 years 7.2%, whose parents were artisans 7.3%, children who used to defaecate in the bush and those who used well as source of water 5.6%. Statistical analysis showed significant association in the prevalence of hookworm infection with respect to gender (P = 0.03) and age group (P = 0.0013). However, there was no significant association between the prevalence of the infection and parent’s occupation (p=0.21), type of toilet used (p=0.20), children’s source of drinking water (P=0.16) and season (P=0.16). The present study has established that the transmission hookworm is on-going among the school children in the study area. There is need for sustained mass de-worming programme, health education, provision of portable drinking water and toilet facilities in public schools within the study area.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Helminthiasis in Remote Mountainous Villages of Northern Lao PDR: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Helminth infections are prevalent in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis in remote mountainous villages of northern Lao PDR. During the dry season in January 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 remote mountainous villages in Oudomxay province, Lao PDR. Villagers older than 18 years of age who agreed to submit stool samples or undergo an interview, were recruited. Stool samples from 198 individuals were examined by the Kato-Katz method, and a questionnaire surveyed 161 individuals among them. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with the intestinal helminthiasis. An overall prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 75.8%. Hookworm infection was the most common (63.1%), followed by Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal flukes (17.7%), Taenia spp. (15.2%), Trichuris trichiura (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.5%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.0%). Questionnaire analysis revealed sex (male) and absence of latrine to be significant risk factors for hookworm infection and consumption of raw meat for taeniasis. These results suggest that the mountainous area in northern Lao PDR has a different composition of helminth infections from other studies conducted in Lao PDR; a high prevalence of hookworm infection and taeniasis and low prevalence of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides infections were observed. Also, liver flukes or intestinal flukes were similarly prevalent in the mountainous area.

Environmental Risk Factors of Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections among school children in rural areas Kutai Kertanegara Regency, Indonesia.

Background: Hookworm and S. stercoralis are still challenge in public health problem especially in developing countries where have environmental risk factors that are potential for transmitting of hookworm and S. stercoralis in Kutai Kertanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia have high-risk factors of the prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis especially environmental risk factors. Methods: In this study was showed the infection rates, correlation analysis between risk factors, and prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis were used statistical analysis. A cross-sectional study was performed among 107 schoolchildren participants from rural schoolchildren of Kutai Kertanegara Regency, Indonesia. This study used two diagnostic methods: Kato Katz and Koga agar plate culture/KAP culture for diagnosing hookworm and Strongyloides infections. Pearson chi-square analysis was used to the study correlation between environmental risk factors with hookworm and S stercoralis infections. Results: Hookworm, and S stercoralis were found in this study; 37 (31.8) and 11 (10.3%) respectively. hookworm infection has been correlated significantly with school location (OR: 1.78 (95%CI: 0.87-3.71, p-value=0.006). While S. stercoralis infection has correlated significantly such as school location (OR: 1.28 (95%CI: 0.73-2.23, (p=0.027), Environmental risk others have not significantly correlated with hookworm infection among school children. While S stercoralis infection has correlated with environmental risk factors such as the texture of soil (OR: 5.50 (95%CI: 0.84-36.01, p-value: 0.010), wet soil surrounding houses (OR: 5.50 (0.84-36.02, p-value: 0.010). School location in surrounding rice field (OR: 5.50 (95%CI: 0.84-36.02, p-value: 0.012). Elevation in hill area (OR: 5.50 (95%CI: 0.84-36.02, p-value: 0.010). Conclusions: This study has explained the determinant of environmental risk factors and the prevalence of hookworm infection and S. stercoralis in schoolchildren. The risk factors should be used for preventing program of reduced prevalence of hookworm and S stercoralis infections in schoolcrildren, especially in rural areas.

The quality of soil and high prevalence of hookworm infection in Muara Kaman and Marangkayu districts, Indonesia

The quality of soil and high prevalence of hookworm infection in Muara Kaman and Marangkayu districts, Indonesia

Correlation of Nutritional Status with Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Children Under Five Years in Kokar Public Health Center, Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara

Malnutrition can reduce immune response particularly in cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) production and immune effector (eosinophil, IgE, and mast cell), thus increasing the probability of intestinal nematode infection. Through this study, intestinal nematode infections occurred among children under five years, at different nutrition status, in Kokar Public Health center, Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara was captured. Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis were studied as both of them have devastating impacts compare to other helminthes compare to other helminths. This study is a cross- sectional study with a quote sampling technique. As many as 238 children, aged 12-59 months living in Kokar’s Public Health Center area, Alor regency were recruited in this study i.e. 7.7% severely underweight, 19.2% underweight, 70.5% normal and 2.6% overweight. Data were collected in August - October 2016. Hookworm and S. stercoralis infection were determined from collected fecal samples of all subjects using either Baermann test, Koga Agar Plate (KAP), or Harada- Mori culture method. The prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis infection was 8.82%, and 0,42%. Correlation between nutritional status and hookworm infection were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test with p value = 0.54 (p &gt; 0.05). Prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis among children under five years in Kokar were 8.82% and 0.42%. There was no significant correlation between nutritional status with hookworm infection prevalence.

Morphological and Molecular Diagnosis of Necator americanus and Ancylostoma ceylanicum Recovered from Villagers in Northern Cambodia.

Human hookworm infections caused by adult Ancylostoma spp. and Necator americanus are one of the most important tropical diseases. We performed a survey of intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz fecal examination technique targeting 1,156 villagers residing in 2 northern provinces (Preah Vihear and Stung Treng) of Cambodia in 2018. The results revealed a high overall egg positive rate of intestinal helminths (61.9%), and the egg positive rate of hookworms was 11.6%. Nine of the hookworm egg positive cases in Preah Vihear Province were treated with 5–10 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate followed by purging with magnesium salts, and a total of 65 adult hookworms were expelled in diarrheic stools. The adult hookworms were analyzed morphologically and molecularly to confirm the species. The morphologies of the buccal cavity and dorsal rays on the costa were observed with a light microscope, and the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were analyzed. The majority of the hookworm adults (90.7%) were N. americanus, whereas the remaining 9.3% were Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a rare hookworm species infecting humans. The results revealed a high prevalence of hookworm infections among people in a northern part of Cambodia, suggesting the necessity of a sustained survey combined with control measures against hookworm infections.

Immunopathology and modulation induced by hookworms: From understanding to intervention.

Hookworm infection is considered the most prevalent human soil-transmitted helminth infection affecting approximately 500 million people and accounting for 3.2 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. As with many other neglected tropical diseases, no international surveillance mechanisms that show accurate data on the prevalence of hookworm infection are in place, thus hindering strategies to control parasite transmission. In this review, we unravel the current knowledge in immunopathology and immunoregulation of hookworm infection and present discoveries in drug therapies based on the capability of hookworms to regulate inflammation to treat allergic, inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Additionally, we highlight potential vaccine development and treatments and propose avenues for further inquiry.

Prevalence of hookworm infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at governmental health centers in DEMBECHA district, north West Ethiopia, 2017

BackgroundHookworm infection is a major public health problem in developing countries. The main way people become infected with hookworm’s larva is through direct skin contact with contaminated soil when walking on barefoot. It is one of a major cause of anemia in pregnant women. The objective was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hookworm infection among pregnant women who attended antenatal care at governmental health centers in Dembecha district, Ethiopia, 2017.MethodsInstitutional based cross sectional study was conducted on 306 pregnant women. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique from February 1 to March 30, 2017. Data collectors and supervisors were trained. Semi-structured Amharic version questionnaire was used to collect data using face to face interview technique and stool sample was examined. Collected data were entered by using Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS. The exported data was analyzed and presented by using descriptive summary statistics and tables. After bivariate logistic regression analysis, all variables with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into multivariate logistic regression and p value < 0.05 considered as significantly associated with the outcome variable.ResultsPrevalence of hookworm infection was 32.0%. There was a positive association of hookworm infection with living in single room [AOR =2.8; 95% CI; 1.32–5.81], living with domestic animals [AOR = 3.4; 95% CI; 1.35–8.76], monthly income ≤1500 Ethiopian birr [AOR = 3.7; 95% CI; 1.76–7.64], unavailability of latrine [AOR = 2.2; 95% CI; 1.03–4.55], habit of walking on barefoot [AOR = 4.3; 95% CI; 2.17–8.48] and not habit of hand washing before meal [AOR = 3.4; 95 CI; 1.14–10.12].ConclusionThis study showed high prevalence of hookworm infection among pregnant women in the study area. Living in single room, living with domestic animals, monthly income ≤1500 Ethiopian birr, unavailability of latrine, habit of walking on barefoot and not habit of hand washing before meal had positive association with hookworm infection. Public health measure should focus on availability latrine and separation of humans and domestic animals room to decrease prevalence of hookworm infection among pregnant women.

Hookworm Infection among Pregnant Women at First Antenatal Visit in Lira, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Hookworm infection in expectant mothers has adverse health effects on both the mothers and their unborn babies. Foetal effects are known to include intrauterine growth retardation and physical and mental growth retardation, while the mothers may develop anemia which could potentially result in death. Unfortunately, little is known about factors that may predispose a pregnant woman to infection by hookworm. In this study, we strived to determine not only the prevalence of hookworm infection among pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit during the current pregnancy in a local health center in northern Uganda but also factors that might predispose them to hookworm infection. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted among 346 pregnant women from Ogur Health Center IV located in Lira district, northern Uganda. Stool samples were collected from each study participant and analyzed for hookworms. The independent variables listed in this study (participant's sociodemographic characteristics, preconception care, and sanitation factors) were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis, including calculation of adjusted ratios, was performed using STATA software (version 14). Results Prevalence of hookworm infection among pregnant women who attended their first antenatal visit at Ogur Health Center IV was 11% (n = 38). After controlling for confounders, factors found to be significantly associated with this infection among pregnant women here were gardening barefooted (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6 to 7.5; P < 0.001) and fetching unsafe water shared with animals for domestic uses (AOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.3 to 6.2; P value of 0.002). Conclusion Hookworm infection among pregnant women at Ogur Health Center IV in Lira district, at 11%, is a public health concern and significantly associated with barefoot gardening and fetching water from unsafe sources shared with animals. We, therefore, recommend that special emphasis during routine prenatal health education be placed on the use of protective footwear during farming and fetching water for domestic use from protected safe sources. Author Summary. Hookworm infection is a parasitic condition that more often goes unnoticed, yet it presents immense detrimental effects, especially to pregnant women and their unborn children. It is a chronic disease with accruing effects of blood depletion resulting in anemia. Anemia is, by far, one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Pregnant women are more prone to hookworm infection by virtue of their compromised immunity, secondary to the physiological process of pregnancy. We demonstrated here that hookworm infection still exists among pregnant women in Uganda. We also showed that gardening barefooted and fetching water for domestic uses from unsafe sources shared with animals were major factors associated with this helminthic infection. This study provides evidence necessary to influence decision making on prevention of hookworm infection in the study area.