Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections Research Articles

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in the Wolaita zone in Southern Ethiopia: mid-stage evaluation of the Geshiyaro project and progress towards the interruption of transmission

BackgroundThis paper documents changes in the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in the Geshiyaro project in the Wolaita zone of Southern Ethiopia.MethodsThe Geshiyaro project comprises three intervention arms. Arm 1 is subdivided into the Arm 1 pilot (one district) and Arm 1 (four other districts), both receiving integrated community-wide mass drug administration MDA (cMDA) with intensive water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) interventions. Arm 2 involves 18 districts with cMDA interventions plus the existing government-led One WaSH program, while Arm 3 serves as a control with school-based MDA (sMDA) interventions plus the existing government-led One WaSH program in three districts. The study is designed as a cohort investigation over time, with the establishment of longitudinal sentinel sites where infection levels are assessed annually. A total of 45 longitudinal parasitological surveillance sentinel sites are being used across all three intervention arms to monitor STH prevalence and intensity of infection. From each of the 45 sentinel sites, 150 individuals were randomly selected, stratified by age and gender. The t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to compare infection prevalence and intensity across the three study arms over time.ResultsThe prevalence of STH decreased significantly from 34.5% (30.6%, 38.5%) in 2019 to 10.6% (8.3%, 13.4%) in 2022/2023 (df = 1, P < 0.0001) in the Arm 1 pilot, from 27.4% (25.2%, 29.7%) in 2020 to 5.5% (4.4%, 6.7%) in 2023 (df = 1, P < 0.0001) in Arm 1, from 23% (21.3%, 24.8%) in 2020 to 4.5% (3.7%, 5.3%) in 2023 (df = 1, P < 0.001) in Arm 2, and from 49.6% (47.4%, 51.7%) in 2021 to 26.1% in 2023 (df = 1, P < 0.0001) in Arm 3. The relative reduction in the prevalence of any STH was the highest in the arms employing cMDA, namely Arm 2, with a decrease of 82.5% (79.3%, 84.2%), followed by Arm 1 with a reduction of 80.1% (75.3%, 84.6%), and then the Arm 1 pilot with a decrease of 69.4% (60.1%. 76.6%). Arm 3 employing sMDA had the lowest decrease, with a reduction of 46.9% (43.6%, 51%). The mean intensity of infection (based on Kato–Katz egg count measures) for Ascaris lumbricoides species, which was the dominant STH species present in the study area, decreased significantly in Arms 1 and 2, but only slightly in Arm 3. The prevalence of hookworm and Trichuris trichiura infections were found to be very low in all arms but also decreased significantly.ConclusionsThe reduction in the prevalence and intensity of STH in Arms 1 and 2 revealed steady progress towards transmission interruption based on cMDA intervention, but additional efforts with MDA coverage and WaSH interventions are needed to achieve a prevalence threshold < 2% based on the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) diagnostic method.Graphical

Pharmacotherapy Study Of Albendazole And Mebendazole For Soil Transmitted Helminths Infections In Children

Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) infection is a nematode infection of the intestine that requires soil for its transmission. The worms that cause Soil Transmitted Helminths infection include; Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale. The incidence of STH infection is quite high with the highest spread of STH infection in the child age group. Treatment of cases of STH infection is by administering antihelmintic drugs or worming drugs. Although there are four The drugs recommended by WHO, only the two drugs most often used in the treatment of STH infections, namely albendazole and mebendazole. Both drugs have been used for more than 30 years, but cases of STH infection still have a high incidence. That is why this literature review was written aims to describe the efficacy of the two drugs for STH infection in children so that their effectiveness can be assessed.The research method used was a literature review, a literature search was sourced from Proquest, Google scholar, Pubmed, Elsevier and Europe PMC. keywords Albendazole, Mebendazole, Soil Transmitted Helminths Infections, Children. There are 10 selected literatures to be studied in this literature review. The results showed that albendazole had satisfactory efficacy in STH infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworms, but reduced efficacy in Trichuris trichiura worms. Mebendazole has satisfactory efficacy in STH infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, but reduced efficacy in hookworms. Albendazole and mebendazole does not cause side effects.

Prevalence of Plasmodium and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Coinfection and Associated Factors among Malaria-Suspected Patients Attending Shewa Robit Health Center, North-Central Ethiopia.

Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) coinfection is a major public health problem in developing countries. Its prevalence and associated factors are poorly addressed in the available research. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Plasmodium-STH coinfection prevalence and associated factors among malaria-suspected patients attending Shewa Robit Health Center, north-central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 379 malaria-suspected patients attending Shewa Robit Health Center from April to May 2023. Stool and blood samples were collected from each participant. Plasmodium and STHs were detected from blood and stool samples by using blood film and the Kato-Katz method, respectively. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to compute Plasmodium-STH coinfection. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Variables with a P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Among the study participants, 27.9%, 20.3%, and 13.4% were positive for Plasmodium, STHs, and Plasmodium-STH coinfection, respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium-Ascaris lumbricoides coinfection was high (7.6%). Unavailability of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs), improper use of ITNs, absence of indoor residual spraying, presence of stagnant water, and previous malaria infection were significantly associated (P <0.01) with Plasmodium infection. Being illiterate, using an unimproved latrine, having an untrimmed fingernail, and practicing open defecation were also significantly associated (P <0.03), with STH infection. Being male, illiterate, and living in rural areas were significantly associated (P <0.03) with Plasmodium-STH coinfection. The prevalence of Plasmodium-STH coinfection was high in malaria-endemic areas. Therefore, malaria-suspected cases should be checked for STH infection.

Prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections among school-aged children in five districts in Uganda.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, commonly caused by roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale), were widespread among Ugandan schoolchildren in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since 2003, the Ugandan Ministry of Health has administered biannual preventive chemotherapy to children aged 1-14 years to control these infections. Twenty years after the program's inception, there is scant data to show the long-term impact of these national deworming efforts. To estimate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections among 10-14-year-old primary school children, school-based, cross-sectional surveys were conducted in November 2023 across five districts (Kamwenge, Sheema, Adjumani, Lamwo, and Zombo). Sixty-five children from five schools per district were selected for inclusion. Fecal egg counts were determined using the Kato-Katz microscopy technique, performed in duplicate by trained laboratory technicians. The survey findings revealed a high prevalence of any STH infection in Kamwenge District (21.2%, 95% confidence limits (CL): 5.7%, 36.6%), while the remaining four districts exhibited lower prevalences, ranging from 0.4% (95% CL: 0.0%, 1.2%) in Adjumani District to 5.6% (95% CL: 0.0%, 11.4%) in Sheema District. The prevalence of moderate-to-heavy-intensity infections was below 1% across all districts. A. lumbricoides was identified infrequently. Hookworm infections were primarily identified in the western districts of Kamwenge and Sheema, while T. trichiura infections were common only in Kamwenge District. Hookworm and T. trichiura infections were uncommon in the northern districts of Adjumani, Lamwo, and Zombo. These surveys suggest that morbidity due to STH infections among schoolchildren may be well controlled in these five districts, as evidenced by low moderate-to-heavy-intensity infection prevalence. However, the prevalence of any intensity infection remains elevated in some districts, indicating the need for continued preventive chemotherapy distribution. A reduction from biannual treatment may be warranted in four districts, per World Health Organization recommendations.

Efficacy and safety of emodepside compared with albendazole in adolescents and adults with hookworm infection in Pemba Island, Tanzania: a double-blind, superiority, phase 2b, randomised controlled trial

Human hookworm is a cause of enormous global morbidity. Current treatments have insufficient efficacy and their extensive and indiscriminate distribution could also result in drug resistance. Therefore, we tested the efficacy and safety of emodepside, a strong anthelmintic candidate that is currently undergoing clinical development for onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections. We conducted a double-blind, superiority, phase 2b, randomised controlled clinical trial comparing emodepside and albendazole. Participants in the emodepside group received six 5 mg tablets of emodepside (totalling 30 mg) and one placebo; participants in the albendazole group received one 400 mg tablet of albendazole and six placebos. Participants were recruited from four endemic villages and three secondary schools in Pemba Island, Tanzania. Participants aged 12-60 years were eligible for treatment if they were positive for hookworm infection, and they had 48 or more eggs per gram from four Kato-Katz thick smears and at least two slides had more than one hookworm egg present. Participants' treatment allocation was stratified by infection intensity and efficacy was measured by cure rate: participants who were hookworm positive and became hookworm negative after treatment. Adverse events were reported at 3 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 14-21 days post-treatment. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05538767. From Sept 15 to Nov 8, 2022, and from Feb 15 to March 15, 2023, 1609 individuals were screened for hookworm. Of these, 293 individuals were treated: 147 with albendazole and 146 with emodepside. Emodepside demonstrated superiority, with an observed cure rate against hookworm of 96·6%, which was significantly higher compared with albendazole (cure rate 81·2%, odds ratio 0·14, 95% CI 0·04-0·35; p=0·0001). The most common adverse event in the emodepside treatment group was vision blur at 3 h after treatment (57 [39%] of 146). Other common adverse events were vision blur at 24 h after treatment (55 [38%]), and headache and dizziness at 3 h after treatment (55 [38%] for headache and 43 [30%] for dizziness). In the emodepside treatment group, 298 (93%) of the 319 adverse events were mild. The most commonly reported adverse events in the albendazole treatment group were headache and dizziness at 3 h after treatment (27 [18%] of 147 for headache and 14 [10%] for dizziness). No serious adverse events were reported. This phase 2b clinical trial confirms the high efficacy of emodepside against hookworm infections, solidifying emodepside as a promising anthelmintic candidate. However, although the observed safety events were generally mild in severity, considerations must be made to balance the strong efficacy outcomes with the increased frequency of adverse events compared with albendazole. European Research Council.

Personal Hygiene Practices To Reduce The Risk Of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection In Farmers

Backgrounds: Soil-transmitted Helminths infections have become a frequent phenomenon among farmers due to their lack of hygiene, making it easy for nematode worms to enter the body. Soil-transmitted helminths can affect nutritional status, resulting in anemia, loss of appetite, and damage to the intestines. To overcome this phenomenon, adequate personal hygiene in farmers is needed. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze how personal hygiene can affect the incidence of Soil-Transmitted Helminths infection. Methods: The method used is a literature review using 10 kinds of literature from 3 sources, namely Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct with a publication range from 2020-2024. Result: The results showed that some articles showed an association between personal hygiene and the incidence of soil-transmitted helminths. Good personal hygiene can prevent the entry of nematode worms into the digestive tract of the body. Besides that, some articles also showed no association between personal hygiene and soil-transmitted helminth infection. Conclusion: Adequate personal hygiene such as always using gloves and complete personal protective equipment while working, always washing hands before eating, and maintaining environmental hygiene is needed by farmers to avoid the incidence of soil-transmitted helminth infection.

Risk Factors Association of Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections Among Primary School Children in Kano, northern Nigeria

Risk Factors Association of Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections Among Primary School Children in Kano, northern Nigeria

Effects of household concrete floors on maternal and child health - the CRADLE trial: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Early life soil-transmitted helminth infection and diarrhea are associated with growth faltering, anemia, impaired child development, and mortality. Exposure to fecally contaminated soil inside the home may be a key contributor to enteric infections, and a large fraction of rural homes in low-income countries have soil floors. The objective of this study is to measure the effect of installing concrete floors in homes with soil floors on child soil-transmitted helminth infection and other maternal and child health outcomes in rural Bangladesh. The Cement-based flooRs AnD chiLd hEalth (CRADLE) trial is an individually randomised trial in Sirajganj and Tangail districts, Bangladesh. Households with a pregnant woman, a soil floor, walls that are not made of mud will be eligible, and no plan to relocate for 3 years. We will randomise 800 households to intervention or control (1:1) within geographic blocks of 10 households to account for strong geographic clustering of enteric infection. Laboratory staff and data analysts will be blinded; participants will be unblinded. We will install concrete floors when the birth cohort is in utero and measure outcomes at child ages 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The primary outcome is prevalence of any soil-transmitted helminth infection (Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, or Trichuris trichiura) detected by qPCR at 6, 12, 18, or 24 months follow-up in the birth cohort. Secondary outcomes include household floor and child hand contamination with E. coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli, and soil-transmitted helminth DNA; child diarrhea, growth, and cognitive development; and maternal stress and depression. Study protocols have been approved by institutional review boards at Stanford University and the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). We will report findings on ClinicalTrials.gov, in peer-reviewed publications, and in stakeholder workshops in Bangladesh. NCT05372068, pre-results.

Prevalence, Infection Intensity, and Risk Factors for Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections among School Children in Northwestern Tanzania.

Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are among the neglected tropical diseases and infect more than 24% of the world population. The World Health Organization recommends regular monitoring of STH's prevalence and intensity following mass drug administrations to evaluate their effectiveness and inform future control strategies. This study evaluated the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of STH infections among school children aged 6 to 14 years old in northwestern Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 728 school children in the Kagera region in 2021. Participants were selected using a two-stage cluster sampling method. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the risk factors. Stool samples were examined using the Kato-Katz technique. The data were analysed using STATA. The overall prevalence of STH was 56.2% (95% CI: 52.5-59.8, 409/728). About 5.7% and 1.1% of the infected children had moderate-intensity infections with Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, respectively. Risk factors included the mother's occupation as a farmer (aOR: 1.2, p = 0.002) and not washing hands with water and soap (aOR: 1.4, p = 0.035). Washing one's hands after using the toilet (aOR: 0.6; p = 0.024) is a preventive measure against STH infections. STH was prevalent in the study area. The mother's occupation (farmer) and the lack of handwashing with water and soap influenced STH transmission. Conversely, washing hands after visiting the toilet and after playing with soil reduced the risk of STH infection.

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminthes among School-Aged Children in Ife Central Local Government, Nigeria: Implications for Targeted Interventions

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a major health concern for children in developing countries. This study assesses the prevalence and intensity of STHs among pupils in private nursery and primary schools in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted in Ife Central LGA, Osun State, Nigeria, involving preschool and school-aged children from two private schools. A total of 55 samples, from 22 male and 33 female pupils, were analyzed for intestinal parasite ova to determine the prevalence of helminth infections among the children. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Consent was secured from parents or guardians. Samples were processed using the modified Kato-Katz technique and examined microscopically for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) eggs. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with significance set at p &lt; 0.05. Results: Among the 55 fecal samples collected, the overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections was 78.2%. Ascaris lumbricoides were the most prevalent helminth (76.4%), followed by Trichuris trichiuria (14.5%) and hookworms (5.5%). Females had a higher infection rate (81.8%) than males (68.2%). The prevalence of STH infections was highest among pupils aged ≥10 years (81.8%) and lowest among those aged 2-3 years (66.7%). Conclusion: This study highlights a significant burden of STH infections, particularly A. lumbricoides, among schoolchildren in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The high prevalence necessitates targeted deworming and improved sanitation interventions to reduce the burden of these infections among children in this region.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to soil-transmitted helminth infections among residents of Bata district, Equatorial Guinea; a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection control remains a priority in endemic regions where local epidemiological data are needed for sustainable control strategies, particularly regarding population knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Our work assessed KAP toward STH infection and associated factors among residents of Bata district, Equatorial Guinea.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 14 randomly selected communities in the Bata district. Eligible participants were interviewed face-to-face using a standardized questionnaire. Participants aged under 18 years were interviewed in the presence of their parents or legal guardians. For participants aged less than ten, a simplified version of the main questionnaire was developed focusing on children’s practices toward STH and was administered to their parents or legal guardians.ResultsA total of 399 participants were included in the present analysis. Among them, 58% responded to the main questionnaire. The mean (± SD) age of participants aged 10 and over was 37.5 (± 22.2) years, and 60% of them were females, while the mean (± SD) age of those aged less than ten was 5.0 (± 2.5) years. The respondents’ overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices to STH were rated as bad (33%), very good (77%), and good (55%), respectively. Knowledge was significantly associated with education level (p = 0.04) with the knowledge level lower for participants with no formal education than for those with secondary/university education (β = -0.56, 95% CI: -1.00 – -0.12, p = 0.01); Appropriate attitudes level was significantly associated with occupation (p = 0.02) and education levels (p = 0.049) with the appropriate attitude level lower for students than for farmers/fishers (β = -1.24, 95% CI: -2.17—-0.32, p = 0.01) and for primary-level participants than for those with secondary/university education (β = -0.68, 95% CI: -1.23—-0.13, p = 0.02); while appropriate practice level were significantly associated with age (p = 0.01), occupation (p = 0.01), and education (p = 0.02), with the appropriate practices level increasing with age (β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.005 – 0.05, p = 0.01) and lower in participants with no formal education than in those with secondary/university education (β = -1.19, -2.05 – -0.32, p = 0.007).ConclusionThe present study revealed a lack of knowledge about STH in the study population, particularly regarding disease causes and transmission ways, highlighting the need for the implementation of integrated health education strategies, both at the community and school levels.

Correlation of Soil Contamination and Incident of STH Infection in Sukokerto Village Sukowono District Jember Regency

The most common worm infections are those caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infection. Soil contamination is one of the causes of helminth transmission to humans. Poor environmental sanitation and personal hygiene facilitate the spread and transmission of STH. Jember is a district where the majority of the population lives in rural areas with poor sanitation access. This study aims to determine the correlation between soil contamination and incident of STH infection in Sukokerto Village, Sukowono District, Jember Regency. This cross-sectional analytic observational study was conducted from August 2022 to February 2023. The total of samples in this study was 44 fecal and soil around the house. The data obtained from the laboratory examination showed that the total fecal positive of STH was 11 or 25%, and soil was 13 or 29.5%. The results of the Chi-Square test analysis obtained ρ&lt;0.05 (ρ=0.036, OR=4,457). The results showed a significant relationship between soil contamination and the incidence of STH infection in Sukokerto Village, Sukowo District, Jember Regency

Efficacy of Single-Dose Albendazole and Albendazole Plus Ivermectin for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection in Children in the Peruvian Amazon.

In countries where soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic, deworming programs are recommended to reduce morbidity; however, increasing levels of resistance to benzimidazoles are of concern. In an observational study in Peru, we studied the clinical efficacy of 400 mg of albendazole 20 days after treatment among children aged 2-11 years. Of 426 participants who provided samples, 52.3% were infected with a STH, 144 (33.8%) were positive for Ascaris (41.8% light, 50.8% moderate, and 7.4% heavy infections), 147 (34.5%) were positive for Trichuris (75.2% light, 22.5% moderate, and 2.3% heavy infections), and 1.1% were positive for hookworm species (100% light infections). Additional stool samples were examined at 20, 90, and 130 days after the initial treatment. At 20 days post-administration of albendazole, the cure rate (CR) of Ascaris infection was 80.1% (95% CI: 73.5-86.7), and the egg reduction rate (ERR) was 70.8% (95% CI: 57.8-88.7); the CR for Trichuris infection was 27.1% (95% CI: 20.0-34.3), and the ERR was 29.8% (95% CI: -1.40 to 57.5). Among participants with persistent or recurrent infections with Trichuris, the combined therapy of albendazole (400 mg) and ivermectin at 600 µg/dose increased overall CR for Trichuris infection to 75.2% (95% CI: 67.3-83.2%) with an ERR of 84.2% (95% CI: 61.3-93.8%). Albendazole administration alone for the control of STH was associated with high rates of treatment failure, especially for Trichuris. Combined single doses of albendazole and ivermectin was observed to have improved efficacy.

SOSIALISASI PENINGKATAN DETEKSI SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTH (STH) MELALUI MODIFIKASI PADA LARUTAN ZnS (SULFIDA SENG) DAN NaCl (NATRIUM KLORIDA) 0,9%

Public health is a crucial aspect of disease prevention efforts. One significant health issue in many countries, including Indonesia, is Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infection, often caused by poor sanitation and lack of environmental cleanliness awareness. STH, typically caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm, can have severe health impacts, particularly on children. Fecal examination methods, especially flotation techniques using ZnS (zinc sulfide) and 0.9% NaCl (sodium chloride) solutions, are commonly employed for STH detection. However, optimizing flotation methods in the field is essential to enhance STH detection sensitivity. This study focuses on the modification of ZnS and 0.9% NaCl solutions to improve the effectiveness of detecting STH eggs. By disseminating information on these modifications to public health practitioners, this socialization aims to enhance detection and prevention efforts for STH infections. The evaluation results show significant improvements in participants' knowledge, skills, attitudes, understanding, method application, and satisfaction, indicating the effectiveness of this socialization in promoting better STH control and prevention programs.

Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women in Primary Care Settings in South India: A Cohort Study.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections (STHs) in pregnancy have been linked to maternal anemia, low birth weight, and adverse perinatal outcomes. STH includes Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura. However, conflicting evidence exists regarding these effects. Hence, we aimed to assess the association of STH infections with perinatal outcomes. A community-based cohort study was conducted among pregnant women in primary care settings in Puducherry, South India, during December 2019 to April 2021. Stool samples were collected for STH screening and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction. Information on perinatal outcomes and hemoglobin levels were extracted from case records. The association of pre-term birth, low birth weight, anemia, and miscarriages with STH infection was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Among the 650 women enrolled, 58 (8.9%) had one of the STH infections. At the time of recruitment, 336 (52.0%) women had anemia. Twenty-four women (3.7%) had miscarriages, 14 (2.2%) had pre-term birth, and 65 (10.4%) had low-birth-weight (LBW) babies. All 14 pre-term babies had LBW, and out of 65 LBW, 40 were in mothers with anemia. Incidence of LBW, pre-term deliveries, and anemia were higher in women with STH than in those without STH (LBW: 12.3% vs 10.2%, P = 0.62; pre-term: 3.5% vs 2.1%, P = 0.5; and anemia: 54.4% vs 51.85, P = 0.7). Though the incidence of anemia, LBW, and pre-term delivery was higher in women with STH infections compared to those without STH, we did not find any significant association between the presence of STH infections and perinatal outcomes.

Soil-Transmitted Helminths among Farmers and AgriculturalWorkers in Rural Iraq

Background and aim: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections are a major public health issue, especially among people involved in agricultural activities. The objective of this study was to uncover crucial characteristics linked to STH infections and provide valuable insights for focused interventions. Additionally, the study attempted to assess the prevalence of STH among farmers and workers. Materials and Methods: a cross-sectional study that included individuals from agricultural communities was conducted. Structured interviews were carried out to gather sociodemographic data, habits, lifestyle factors, and awareness. The kato-katz method was used to analyze stool samples for the presence of helminths. Statistical techniques, such as chi-square tests and correlation coefficients, were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Results: The prevalence of STH (Soil-Transmitted Helminths) was highest at 43.33% among patients aged 46-65. An important association was found between less experience (less than 20 years) and a higher prevalence of STH (p &lt; 0.00001). Farmers demonstrated a greater prevalence compared to workers, although the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of STH was strongly influenced by handwashing habits, highlighting the crucial nature of maintaining consistent practices (p &lt; 0.02). Individuals with a higher level of knowledge had a decreased prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.001867. Several helminths were detected, particularly Ascaris lumbercoids and Trichurs trichura. Age, personal protection equipment, access to clean water, handwashing, and specific helminths were positively correlated. Conclusion: This study offers a clear understanding of the various factors that affect the prevalence of STH. It highlights the significance of specific interventions that concentrate on enhancing hand cleanliness, ensuring access to uncontaminated water, and implementing protective measures.

Contribution of wastewater irrigated vegetables to the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection among female farmers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundUntreated or inadequately treated wastewater carrying human feces can host helminth eggs and larvae, contaminating the soil and plants that are irrigated with it. In Addis Ababa, farmers use untreated wastewater to grow vegetables; however, there are little data currently available published on vegetables' contribution to the prevalence of helminth among female farmers along the Akaki River, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa City in February 2022. A stratified random sampling method was used to sample farming households. The sample size for each district was determined by a proportional allocation to the total number of households in the area. Two hundred and fifty-two composite vegetable samples and 101 farmers’ stool samples were collected and analyzed for helminth prevalence. Data on socio-demographics were collected by trained data collators using a structured questionnaire. Kato-Katz concentration was used to detect STH from a stool sample. Stata version 14.0 was used to process the data. Poisson regression was used to identify the association between STH prevalence in the vegetable and the farm's stool.ResultsHelminths were found in 67.5% of vegetables sampled and 20.8% of female farmers' stools. Ascaris lumbricoides eggs (vegetable 48.4% and stool 9.9%) were identified in all analyzed samples. Hookworm eggs (vegetable 13.1% and stool 8.9%) and Trichuris trichiura eggs (vegetable 5.9% and stool 2%) were also isolated. The total number of helminth eggs present in wastewater-irrigated vegetables and female farmers’ stool had a positive association (p < 0.05) with a regression coefficient of 1.92 (95% CI = 1.56–2.28).ConclusionsThe study found a significant prevalence of helminth infections, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides, in stool and vegetable samples irrigated with wastewater. A clear association was found between vegetable production and a higher prevalence of helminth infections among female farmers. Therefore, it is important to ensure that farmers are educated in the importance of food washing and sanitation/hygiene practices when using wastewater irrigation for vegetable crops.Graphical

Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Shanghai, China: Surveillance from 2014 to 2023.

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis remains a notable health problem in developing countries. In 1990 in Shanghai, a city in eastern China, 47% of the population was affected. Due to a series of comprehensive approaches, the prevalence decreased to 0.5% in 2009. We collected 10-year surveillance data to assess the epidemic situation of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Shanghai. Stool samples and questionnaires from participants were collected. The Kato-Katz technique was used to detect infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), and Trichuris trichiura. From 2014 to 2023, a total of 77,685 participants were screened for parasitic infections, and the overall prevalence of STH infections decreased from 0.1% to 0% in Shanghai. Of 77,685 participants, 25 (0.03%) were positive for intestinal helminths, with the most common parasite being A. lumbricoides (72.0%). Generally, elderly participants from rural areas with lower education levels were more likely to be infected with STHs. A total of 2,914 questionnaires were collected, and most respondents (72.6%) had good knowledge about the transmission routes of STHs. However, 12.3% of participants did not know the damage to health caused by STHs, and 19.3% had no idea of how to prevent infection. These data demonstrate the current state of STH infections in Shanghai. The results suggest that various comprehensive measures should be encouraged, continuously implemented, and strengthened accordingly so that STH elimination can be integrated into the Healthy China initiative by 2030.

Estimating Prevalence and Infection Intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminths Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and Kato-Katz in School-Age Children in Angola.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is gaining recognition in soil-transmitted helminth (STH) diagnostics, especially for Strongyloides stercoralis and differentiating hookworm species. However, sample preservation and DNA extraction may influence qPCR performance. We estimated STH prevalence and infection intensity by using qPCR in schoolchildren from Huambo, Uige, and Zaire, Angola, and compared its performance with that of the Kato-Katz technique (here termed Kato-Katz). Stool samples from 3,063 children (219 schools) were preserved in 96% ethanol and analyzed by qPCR, of which 2,974 children (215 schools) had corresponding Kato-Katz results. Cluster-adjusted prevalence and infection intensity estimates were calculated by qPCR and Kato-Katz, with cycle threshold values converted to eggs per gram for qPCR. Cohen's kappa statistic evaluated agreement between qPCR and Kato-Katz. DNA extraction and qPCR were repeated on 191 (of 278) samples that were initially qPCR negative but Kato-Katz positive, of which 112 (58.6%) became positive. Similar prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides (37.5% versus 34.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (6.5% versus 6.1%) were found by qPCR and Kato-Katz, respectively, while qPCR detected a higher hookworm prevalence (11.9% versus 2.9%). The prevalence of moderate- or high-intensity infections was higher by Kato-Katz than by qPCR. Agreement between qPCR and Kato-Katz was very good for A. lumbricoides, moderate for T. trichiura, and fair for hookworm. Strongyloides stercoralis prevalence was 4.7% (municipality range, 0-14.3%), and no Ancylostoma ceylanicum was detected by qPCR. Despite suboptimal performance, presumably due to fixative choice, qPCR was fundamental in detecting S. stercoralis and excluding zoonotic A. ceylanicum. Further evaluations on sample fixatives and DNA extraction methods are needed to optimize and standardize the performance of qPCR.

New Insights on Tools for Detecting β-Tubulin Polymorphisms in Trichuris trichiura Using rhAmpTM SNP Genotyping.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, commonly treated with benzimidazoles, are linked to resistance through single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at position 167, 198, or 200 in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene. The aim of this study was to establish a novel genotyping assay characterized by its rapidity and specificity. This assay was designed to detect the presence of SNPs within the partial β-tubulin gene of Trichuris trichiura. This was achieved through the biallelic discrimination at codons 167, 198, and 200 by employing the competitive binding of two allele-specific forward primers. The specificity and reliability of this assay were subsequently confirmed using Trichuris samples isolated from captive primates. Furthermore, a molecular study was conducted to substantiate the utility of the β-tubulin gene as a molecular marker. The assays showed high sensitivity and specificity when applied to field samples. Nevertheless, none of the SNPs within the β-tubulin gene were detected in any of the adult worms or eggs from the analyzed populations. All specimens consistently displayed an SS genotype. The examination of the β-tubulin gene further validated the established close relationships between the T. trichiura clade and Trichuris suis clade. This reaffirms its utility as a marker for phylogenetic analysis.