Molecular prevalence of intestinal parasites infections in children with diarrhea in Franceville, Southeast of Gabon

Abstract

Background: Pediatric diarrhea caused by a range of pathogens, including intestinal parasites, is one of main causes of death among children under 5 years of age. The distribution of these parasitic infections overlaps in many environmental, socioeconomic and epidemiological settings. Their distribution and prevalence varies from region to region. In the current study, we assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among pediatric patients with syndromic diarrheal disease living in Franceville, Gabon. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the Amissa Bongo Regional Hospital and Chinese-Gabonese Friendship Hospital in Franceville, between November 2016 and August 2017, enrolled a total of 100 diarrheic children between 0 and 180 months of age. Parasite detection in stool samples was performed using molecular diagnostic by PCR. Difference in means were tested by Student's t test and ANOVA while principal component analysis was used to determine the correlation between parasite distributions and age groups. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was 61% (61/100). Hymenolepis sp and Cryptosporidium hominis/parvum were the most common parasites (31 and 19%, respectively), followed by Encephalitozoon intestinalis (15%), Trichuris trichiura (4%), Dientamoeba fragilis (4%), and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (2%). The polyparasitism rate was 19.7%, with 83.3% double and 16.7% triple infections. Protozoan infections (66.7%) were more prevalent than helminths infections (33.3%). Seasonal association of the circulation of intestinal parasite was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Correlations between different parasites was also observed. Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections is highest in diarrheic pediatric children. The prevalence of parasitic infections indicates that protozoa and helminths are the most common parasites in the Franceville environment. This study reinforces the importance of routine examination of diarrheic stool samples for the diagnostic of intestinal parasites. Further analyses are required to better understand the local epidemiology and risk factors associated with the transmission of intestinal parasites in Franceville, Gabon.

Etiology and biodistribution of enterobacteria and parasites, and their associated environmental risk factors among children under 5 years old with diarrhea in East-Central Gabon

“…In this study, the prevalence of children aged up to 5 years with diarrhea was 77.3%, it is similar to that reported by a previous study in another city in Gabon (21). The results of our study also showed that 41.6% of the children with diarrhea were aged 0 to 24 months old and were the most affected age group with a prevalence of 44%.…”

“…Furthermore, this study also shown the presence of parasitic pathogens in this population, with a frequency of 20.6%. This prevalence was, however, lower than that recorded in Nigeria (37.1%) (32), Cameroon (59.2%) (7) and Gabon (61.0%) (21). The high prevalence of infections due to bacterial pathogens in these conditions is similar to that found in other studies (8,23).…”

Advancement in our understanding of immune response against Encephalitozoon infection

“…infecting patients using different laboratory techniques during 2010‐2020. Based on those studies, prevalence of E. intestinalis ranges from as low as 3% to as high as 46.2% worldwide 20,34‐40 . The prevalence of E. hellem and E. cuniculi ranges from 0.6% to 19.6% and 0.5% to 77.3%, respectively 36,41‐48 …”

“…Based on those studies, prevalence of E. intestinalis ranges from as low as 3% to as high as 46.2% worldwide. 20,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40] The prevalence of E. hellem and E. cuniculi ranges from 0.6% to 19.6% and 0.5% to 77.3%, respectively. 36,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]…”

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors Among Diarrheal Outpatients in South Gondar Zone, Northwest, Ethiopia

“…From intestinal parasitic infections; Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), and Necator American's (hookworm) are considered to be a global public health concern and the major public health significant parasitic infections. These intestinal parasitic infections have been recognized as significant causes of illnesses and diseases worldwide (4)(5)(6).…”