Prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors among the elderly

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors in elderly persons resident in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed involving 236 elderly persons in Aiquara, in the state of Bahia, Brazil, in 2015. Data were collected through a coprological survey and a questionnaire for information relating to sociodemographic characteristics, health and lifestyle. The presence of parasites in stools was verified by the Hoffman method. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites among the elderly was 30.5%. Among infected elderly persons, 26.3% had monoparasitism, 3.8% biparasitism and 0.4% polyparasitism. There was a predominance of protozoa (80.8%) over helminths (19.2%). The most prevalent parasites were Entamoeba coli (44.6%); Endolimax nana (21.7%) and Iodamoeba bütschlii (14.5%). In the population studied, the independent variables analyzed were not associated ( p>0.05) with the presence of intestinal parasites. Conclusion: the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in elderly people living in the urban area of the municipal region of Aiquara, Bahia, was high and there was no association between intestinal parasites and sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle or health.

scFv against HSP60 of Strongyloides sp. and Its Application in the Evaluation of Parasite Frequency in the Elderly

“…Enteroparasitoses are neglected diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, including the elderly, a population that has increased in number in recent decades [17]. Surveys of medically important enteroparasites show high rates of S. stercoralis infection among the populations that have been evaluated [4,5,18]. Among the various populations that have been studied, important findings have been observed in the elderly, especially those institutionalized in long-term residences [4,18].…”

“…Studies to diagnose the incidence and/or prevalence of parasitic diseases at these institutions have been conducted over the years. For the diagnostic tests available and implemented so far, the results show that the prevalence of enteroparasites in the elderly is not associated with long-term institutions, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, or health conditions [4,5]. However, the frequencies of enteroparasites in the elderly appear to be underestimated because they may vary depending on the study and the country/region evaluated.…”

“…Among the pathogenic helminths investigated, the one most often diagnosed is Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis), a nematode parasite that causes strongyloidiasis, a disease characterized by skin and digestive symptoms, in humans [1][2][3][4][5]. Parasitological surveys using more sensitive and rigorous techniques are needed to provide more reliable results and serve as the basis for future interventions involving sanitary and educational measures to improve health maintenance [2].…”

“…In this sense, research carried out for the refinement of techniques applied to the epidemiological survey to parasitic diseases, such as the strongyloidiasis, is necessary. It should be noted that infection by this parasite is becoming increasingly severe in vulnerable groups, such as immunosuppressed patients, children, and the elderly [5][6][7]. The major concern in these vulnerable groups is the low immune capacity to respond effectively to infectious processes.…”

Cryptosporidium spp. EM IDOSOS RESIDENTES EM INSTITUIÇÕES DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA NO SUL DO BRASIL

“…A população ao longo do processo natural de envelhecimento ocorre uma redução gradual das capacidades funcionais e fisiológicas dos indivíduos que por consequência aumenta o risco da qualidade de vida do idoso, limitando sua autonomia e aumentando a vulnerabilidade de sua saúde. Segundo dados do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), no ano de 2014, as doenças infeciosas e parasitárias representaram a sexta causa de morbidade no país 15 .…”