Intestinal amoebiasis, giardiasis and geohelminthiases: their association with other intestinal parasites and reported intestinal symptoms

Abstract

In order to determine reported signs and symptoms that may predict an intestinal parasitic infection, 241 schoolchildren in western C&e d'Ivoire were interviewed with a simnle auestionnaire and their stool specimens were examined over several consecutive days. Special emihasis was placed on (i) assessing infections bv Entamoeba histolvticalE. disaar. Giardia duoaknalis and bv intestinal worms. (ii) lookinn for associationsU between these parasites, and '(iii) looking for associatibns between these 'parasites"and commonly perceived intestinal signs and symptoms. Complete questionnaire results, intestinal helminth infections derived from 4 Kato-Katz thick smears, and intestinal protozoa infections assessed on a single day by a formalin-ether concentration procedure were obtained from 209 children (87%). A logistic regression modelling approach showed ihat an infection with E. histolytica/E. dispar-was significantly associated with an Entamoeba coliinfection. However, for G. duodenalis, hookworm and Ascarts lumbrtcoides. no association was found between any of these parasites and other intestinal parasites. In a multivariate analysis reported diarrhoea was the only symptom positively associated with an E. histolytica/E. dispar infection (P = 0.028). Its diagnostic nerformance showed a low sensitivitv (28%), a high sneciflcitv (85%) and moderate positive and negative predictive values (52% and 67%, respectively). S&p&ingly, reported 'turninn stomach' was less often renorted bv children infected with G. duodenalis (borderline sianificance. P = 0.657). It is concluded that reported diarrhoea could be a symptom worth exploring further for the rapid identification of schoolchildren infected with E. histolytica/E. dkpar.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Food Handlers of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…The leading intestinal parasite in the present study was A.lumbricoides 149(55.8%) which was found to be higher than studies conducted in the same area 39.0% of the infection rate was recorded by [27] noted 31.0% of prevalence of this roundworm in Kurram Agency, Lahore (24.4%) [28] and other countries such as Ivory Cost (38.3%) [29]. The reason might be the geography of the place or the socio economic condition of the study area and the habit of the study participants in relation to wash hands before and after touching the food.…”

Simple anamnestic questions and recalled water-contact patterns for self-diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection among schoolchildren in western Côte d'Ivoire.

“…14,22 The survey also confirmed that hookworm, with a cumulative infection prevalence of 59.9%, is the most important geohelminth, 33 whereas infections with T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides rarely occurred.…”

“…The understanding of the terms used was assessed by focus group discussions beforehand. 22,33 General and specific questions were also asked about water-contact patterns, which were identified after discussion with community key informants and a walk through the village.…”

“…The symptoms and diseases were chosen on the basis of focus group discussions carried out in a preceding study in the same area. 22,33 Based on interviews with the community health worker, the school director and infected schoolchildren, the predominant water-contact patterns were identified: crossing rivers, swimming/bathing, fishing with nets, fishing with hooks and lines, washing clothes, and water use for gardening. The first three questions on water contact patterns were first asked generally (e.g., ''Did you cross rivers during the last month?…”

The Prevalence of Parasitic Human Intestinal Helminthes and the Efficacy of Anthelmintic Drug in Children in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

“…Two principal factors in maintaining endemicity of intestinal helminthes infections are favorable quantities of the soil and frequent contamination of the environment by human faeces [10]. Their transmission within the community is predominantly related to human habits with regards to eating, defecation, personal hygiene, cleanliness and level of education [11]. Its prevalence in the community can be used as an indication of the conditions of living, environmental sanitation as well as the socio-economic status of the community [12].…”