Concurrent infection of intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori among school-age children in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Coinfection of multiple intestinal microbial pathogens plays an important role in individuals harboring these organisms. However, data on magnitude and risk factors are scarce from resource limited settings. Objective We examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori co-infection among young Ethiopian school children. Method Data from a total of 434 Ethiopian school children from the Ziway region were analyzed in the study. Stool antigen and blood serum antibody tests were used to detect H. pylori , while the presence of any intestinal parasites was detected using direct wet mount microscopy and formol-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was delivered to mothers and legal guardians of the children by an interviewer to collect data relevant demographic and lifestyle factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of these sociodemographic characteristics with the coinfection of H. pylori and intestinal parasites. Results The prevalence of coinfection with any intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori was 23.0% ( n = 92/400). Univariate analysis showed an increased risk for co-infection among children whose mothers had non-formal education (COR: 1.917, p < 0.01) and those who had no history of child vaccination (COR: 3.455, p = 0.084). Children aged 10–14 and those who lived in a house that had a flush or ventilated latrine were found at lower odds of coinfection between intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori (COR: 0.670, p = 0.382; COR: 0.189, p = 0.108). Multivariate regression analysis showed increased odds of co-infection among children whose mothers had non-formal education (AOR: 1.978, p < 0.01). Maternal education was also associated with a two-fold increase in odds for H. pylori and any protozoa co-infection (AOR: 2.047, p < 0.01). Conclusion Our study shows a moderate prevalence of H. pylori and intestinal parasite co-infection and identified maternal education as a significant risk factor among school children.

Stressing a tired host: Cryptosporidium species and Helicobacter pylori infections in diabetes mellitus patients with gastrointestinal manifestations

“…Concurrent infection of H. pylori and intestinal parasites was reported in a number of studies [31,32,[49][50][51][52][53] . Under normal conditions, gastric juice creates an unfavorable medium for pathogenic microorganisms.…”

Clinical and immunological peculiarities of parasitic infections in children with digestive system disorders in Western Ukraine

“…And this response can vary depending on the species of protozoa or helminths and can probably vary with the stage of their life cycle (intestinal phase or migration phase). It is wellknown that H. pylori infection as well as Giardia promotes the Th1 immune response, whereas helminths increase the Th2 immune response and thus, the IL-4 level was increased in the group with coinfection by H. pylori and helminths [3,4,9,10].…”

“…The study in Colombia has shown that the frequency of H. pylori co-infection with A. lumbricoides in children aged 1-6 years varied 9-89% depending on the region and climate [18]. The study conducted in central Ethiopia found that 23% of school-age children were coinfected with H. pylori and any intestinal parasite while 18.7% were co-infected with H. pylori and any protozoa, but the incidence of enterobiasis (1.4%) or ascariasis (0.2%) was also low [9]. We suggest that it is necessary and important to continue assessing the frequency of co-infection by H. pylori and intestinal helminths in symptomatic and asymptomatic children of different ages in Ukraine.…”

“…The anti-inflammatory Th2 immune response is more frequent in developing countries such as Africa, Asia and others where there is high helminthiasis prevalence. In contrast, pro-inflammatory Th17/Th1 responses are more typical for helicobacter gastritis in developed countries [3,4,9,10].…”

Assessment of Risk Factors and Outcome of Co-Infection of Soil Transmitted Helminths and H. pylori among School Age Children Living in Riverine Slum Settlements in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…Soil transmitted helminths are one of the most frequent infections in the world, affecting an estimated 3.5 billion people and infecting 450 million people [1]. These infections are a major public health concern because they induce anaemia due to iron deficiency, growth retardation in children, and other physical and mental health issues [2,3,4]. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Hookworms are pathogenic intestinal protozoans that infect the small and/or large intestine and harm people in tropical countries [5].…”