The prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides infections in Moslem children from northern Bangladesh

Abstract

The results are presented of a horizontal epidemiological survey of intestinal infections of children aged between six months and 15 years in three adjacent villages in northern Bangladesh. On the basis of 203 stool sample examinations, the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm and amoebic infections was estimated as 68, 56, 53 and 19%, respectively. Age-specific prevalence data indicated that approximately 90% of the children were harbouring patent Ascaris infections by the time they were four years old and there was some evidence to suggest differences in the pattern of age-prevalence between male and female children. The intensity of Ascaris infection was found to rise to its maximum value within the first four years of life. No significant differences were detected in the mean worm burdens of children aged between four and 15 years. Each child in this age-group harboured on average 10 worms. The frequency distribution of numbers of A. lumbricoides per host was found to be overdispersed, with a value of the negative binomial parameter, k, of 0.44. The degree of aggregation was found to be approximately the same for each age-class of the population between one and 15 years (0.26 less than or equal to k less than or equal to 0.82). No evidence was found to suggest a density-dependent reduction in the weight of either male or female Ascaris within the range one to 43 worms per host.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The efficacy of single-dose albendazole for the treatment of ascariasis

“…Martin et al found similar results among children 1-15 years old in Northern Bangladesh. 22 There was no apparent difference in ascariasis by sex in this study. Ozumba reported the same observation in Enugu, Nigeria.…”

Prevalência e intensidade de infecção por Ascaris lumbricoides em amostra populacional urbana (São Paulo, SP)

“…Estima-se que cerca de 22% da população mundial (mais de 1 de indivíduos parasitados encontrem-se na América Latina (6). Alta prevalência de ascaríase é considetada indicativa de saneamento básico inadequado, comumente observado em comunidades rurais (5,7,14,21,23). Entretanto, são freqüentes os relatos de prevalência de ascaríase em áreas urbanas, semelhante ou mesmo superior à de áreas rurais adjacentes, em vários países do Terceiro Mundo (3, 8, 10).…”

Toxocara pteropodis Baylis, 1936 : life-cycle, epizootiology and zoonotic potential

“…), then in a pup passing 25 g faeces/d this would give an output per female worm approaching that of T. pteropodis. In children infected with A. lumbricoides, there is evidence of diminishing egg output per female worm with increased intestinal worm burden (Martin et al, 1983). In view of the small numbers of adult female worms in infected bats (average 2.14 per infected bat, maximum 4 -Section 3.…”

“…In massive A. suum infections, the piglets' diet may influence the successful establishment of adult worms, and milk may be unfavourable (Kelley et al, 1958). These massive-dose experiments probably have little relevance to natural situations, where pigs are exposed to continuous low doses of eggs (Andersen et al, 1973) and it is usual to find small numbers of adults of the same brood (Beaver, 1952).Ascariasis is more prevalent in children than in adults (Beaver, 1952; Spillman, 1975;Martin et al, 1983), which may reflect age-resistance or exposure-risk. In areas of high prevalence and continuing exposure, average A_^ lumbricoides burdens are low, indicating resistance to reinfection, yet a high level of tolerance is reflected by the paucity of acute symptoms (Spillman, 1975).…”

“…Ascariasis is more prevalent in children than in adults (Beaver, 1952; Spillman, 1975;Martin et al, 1983), which may reflect age-resistance or exposure-risk. In areas of high prevalence and continuing exposure, average A_^ lumbricoides burdens are low, indicating resistance to reinfection, yet a high level of tolerance is reflected by the paucity of acute symptoms (Spillman, 1975).…”