Parasitic infections in Swiss children: Are we overtesting?

Abstract Background A wide variation of causes can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in children- an infection with parasites is one of them. The expansion of international travel might lead to an increase in testing children for a correspondent infection. Currently there are no guidelines available, which patients should be tested for a possible parasitical infection. The aim of the study was to characterize Swiss children suffering from intestinal parasites, in order to provide more knowledge for the clinician who should be tested. Methods This is a retrospective study of Swiss pediatric patients, whose stools have been tested for parasites and helminths. Results A total of 1855 stool samples, belonging to 572 different children with an average age of 7.9 years, were tested within a 10-year period. The prevalence of a positive result was 4.2%, of which all were positive for Blastocystis, and 12.5% had a co-infection with Endolimax nana. Conclusion Immigrants, immune compromised children with diarrhea and pediatric patients with bloody or protracted diarrhea should have 2 different stool specimens examined for a possible parasitical infection.

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Intestinal Parasites Infection in Children with Cancer in Ahvaz, Southwest Iran

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1155/2020/8839740 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Roya Salehi Kahyesh ◽

Arash Alghasi ◽

Shekoufe Haddadi ◽

Asaad Sharhani

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Immunocompromised Patients ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intestinal Infections ◽

Stool Samples

Background. Infection with intestinal parasites is widespread worldwide, especially in developing countries. Intestinal parasites are known as one of the leading causes of diarrhea in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised subjects, but cancer patients are highly susceptible to contamination, and it can be deadly for them. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in immunocompromised patients in Ahvaz. Material and Methods. In this descriptive cross-sectional pilot case-control study, fecal samples were collected from 52 children with malignancies hospitalized in Baqaei2 hospital in Ahvaz. A questionnaire including demographic information, type of cancer, type of gastrointestinal symptoms, and laboratory diagnosis was completed for each patient. The collected specimens were examined by direct smear, Logul staining, and concentration. Result. The 52 stool samples were collected, 46% were female and 54% male. The age range of children enrolled in the study was from 4 months to 16 years. Of these stool samples, 38.38% were infected with a variety of parasitic intestinal infections (helminths and protozoa). In this study, protozoan parasites, Blastocystis (23%), Chilomastix mesnili (1.92%), Endolimax nana (7.7%), and Entamoeba coli (1.92%), and helminth infection, Strongyloides stercoralis (3.84%), were observed and statistical analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and parasitic infection in children with cancer. Conclusion. Blastocystis and Endolimax nana are the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasitic protozoans that infect individuals admitted to Baqaei2 Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran. Since parasitic intestinal infections in immunocompromised patients lead to fatal diarrhea, children with parasitic infections must be carefully identified and treated.

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Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among School Children of Dadeldhura District, Nepal

Journal of Health and Allied Sciences ◽

10.37107/jhas.44 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 14-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bishnu Raj Tiwari ◽

Ranju Chaudhary ◽

Nabaraj Adhikari ◽

Sailesh Kumar Jayaswal ◽

Thakur Prasad Poudel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

School Children ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Common Finding ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Age Group ◽

Group 4 ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Stool Samples

Intestinal parasitic infestations are a common finding in the developing world, however, the patterns of parasitic distribution and rates are different elsewhere. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation and chemical analysis of stool sample of the school children of age group 4-12 years in Dadeldhura district, far western region of Nepal. Out of 530 stool samples, 165 (31.13%) were found to be intestinal parasites positive. Among the total parasites, Hymenolepsis nana (46.56%) and Giardia lamblia (7.47%) were found in high prevalence as helmiths and protozoa respectively. Among the total stool samples 159 (30%) showed positive occult blood test. The prevalence of parasitic infection was found high in the children of age group 4-6 years (38.18%) than others though the result was not significant statistically (P>0.05). Highest prevalence of parasites was found in those not following the hygienic conditions (36.17%) than those following (18.83%). Similarly, high proportion of the parasites were found in children having gastrointestinal symptoms (49.23%) than in children without the gastrointestinal symptoms (13.70%) though the result was not significant statistically (P>0.05). The study showed the children using the water directly from the source had higher prevalence of parasites (32.13%) than those using treated water (14.28%). This study presents the high prevalence of stool parasites in school going children of Dadeldhura district. Key words: Parasitic infection, School children, Stool samples, Dadeldhura, Nepal.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Intestinal Parasites among Patients Admitted to Mirembe National Mental Health Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania

Journal of Parasitology Research ◽

10.1155/2017/5651717 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Azan A. Nyundo ◽

David Z. Munisi ◽

Ainory P. Gesase

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infection ◽

Psychiatric Facility ◽

Concentration Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stool Samples

Background. Neglected tropical diseases continue to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Psychiatric patients are among groups at risk for parasitic infection although control and monitoring programs largely overlook this population. This study aimed at determining prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection among patients admitted to a psychiatric facility.Method. The study followed cross-sectional design; all the residing patients that met the inclusion criteria were included in the survey. Stool samples were collected and examined by direct wet preparation and formol-ether concentration. Data were analyzed with STATA version 12.1; Chi-square test was computed to determine the level of significance atpvalue < 0.05.Results.Of all 233 patients who returned the stool samples, 29 (12.45%) screened were positive for an intestinal parasite. There was no significant association between parasite carriage and age, sex, or duration of hospital stay.Conclusion. The study shows that intestinal parasitic infection is common among patients in a psychiatric facility and highlights that parasitic infections that enter through skin penetration may be a more common mode of transmission than the oral route. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for surveillance and intervention programs to control and manage these infections.

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Development of Conventional Multiplex PCR: A Rapid Technique for Simultaneous Detection of Soil-Transmitted Helminths

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens8030152 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 152 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vivornpun Sanprasert ◽

Ruthairat Kerdkaew ◽

Siriporn Srirungruang ◽

Sarit Charuchaibovorn ◽

Kobpat Phadungsaksawasdi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Simultaneous Detection ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Multiple Infections ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽

Stool Samples

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are the most common intestinal parasites infecting humans worldwide. STH infections are a major cause of morbidity and disability. Accurate diagnostic tools are pivotal for assessing the exact prevalence of parasitic infections. Microscopic examination and culture techniques have been used to observe the presence of eggs or larvae of parasites in stool samples, but they are time-consuming and have low sensitivity. Therefore, accurate, simple, and inexpensive diagnostic techniques are still required for simultaneous detection of STH infections. Although molecular-based techniques, such as real-time PCR and multiplex real-time PCR, have been developed, they are not suitable for routine diagnosis due to the requirement for expensive reagents and instruments. In this study, we established a conventional multiplex PCR for simultaneous rapid detection of Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, and Strongyloides stercoralis in stool samples. Our results show that the multiplex PCR could detect the DNA of STHs at a very low target gene concentrations (lower than 1 pg) with no cross-amplification. Multiplex PCR had five times higher sensitivity than the formalin–ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) in the detection of multiple infections, and two times higher for detection of S. stercoralis. However, multiplex PCR was comparable to FECT in the detection of A. lumbricoides and N. americanus. In conclusion, this method could be used as an alternative method for the detection of STHs, especially for S. stercoralis.

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The Impact of Cooperative Social Organization on Reducing the Prevalence of Malaria and Intestinal Parasite Infections in Awramba, a Rural Community in South Gondar, Ethiopia

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1155/2014/378780 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gebeyehu Yihenew ◽

Haileeyesus Adamu ◽

Beyene Petros

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Environmental Hygiene ◽

Cooperative Community ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Parasite Infections ◽

Stool Specimens ◽

Study Participants ◽

The Impact ◽

South Gondar

Introduction.Parasitic diseases are the major causes of human health problem in Ethiopia. The high prevalence of parasitic infections is closely correlated with poverty, poor environmental hygiene, and impoverished health services.Objective.The study was conducted to assess the impact of health-conscious Awramba cooperative community and its neighboring communities on the prevalence of parasitic infections in South Gondar, Ethiopia.Methods.Single stool specimens were collected from 392 individuals from Awramba and the neighboring communities. Specimens were examined microscopically for the presence of parasites using microscopy. Questionnaire was administered to determine the knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of study participants.Results.Of the total 392 study participants examined, 58(14.8%) were positive for malaria and 173 (44.1%) for intestinal parasites. The prevalence of malaria in Awramba community (5.1%) was less than that in neighboring communities (24.5%). The prevalence of parasitic infections in Awramba (18.8%) was less than that of the neighboring communities (69.4%).Conclusion.This study showed that good household and environmental hygiene, good toilet construction and usage, and proper utilization of ITN in Awramba cooperative community have significantly contributed to the reduction of the burden of parasitic infections. Thus, the positive achievement in reducing parasitic infections in Awramba cooperative community could be used as a model for affordable health intervention in the neighboring communities, in particular, and the whole country in general.

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Thick Stool Smear Wet Mount Examination: A New Approach in Stool Microscopy

Tropical Doctor ◽

10.1177/004947550303300320 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 173-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Subhash Chandra Parija ◽

Sanjay Bhattacharya ◽

Prasant Padhan

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

New Approach ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

Wet Mount ◽

Cotton Blue ◽

Novel Method ◽

Stool Samples ◽

The Difference

Microscopic examination of a wet mount of the stool has been the standard practice for the laboratory diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections. Here we describe a novel method of stool microscopy of 80 stool samples, 31 (38.75%) were positive by the new thick stool smear wet mount method, whereas the corresponding figure for the conventional method using lacto-phenol cotton blue was 16 (20%). The difference was found to be statistically significant ( P<0.04 by McNemar's test). The thick stool smear wet mount procedure promises to be superior to the direct wet mount method in the detection of the intestinal parasites.

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Evaluation of intestinal parasites in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria in a territory hospital in Turkey

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.11552 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 927-932

Author(s):

Sedat Vezir ◽

Filiz Kaya ◽

Emine Vezir ◽

Nermin Karaosmanoğlu ◽

Ali Kudret Adiloğlu

Keyword(s):

Patient Group ◽

Chronic Urticaria ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Giardia Duodenalis ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Cutaneous Manifestations ◽

Blastocystis Sp ◽

Stool Samples

Introduction: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) which develops without a known stimulation is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema or both for longer than six weeks. Infections, autoimmunity, food intolerance and internal parasitic infections are supposed to be underlying causes of CSU. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal parasites in children and adult patients diagnosed as CSU, to determine the frequency of parasites in chronic urticaria, and to compare these patients with healthy demographic control groups. Methodology: Seventy six children and 38 adult patients with CSU were examined in terms of parasitic infections. The patients whom parasites were detected received anti-parasitic therapy and the improvements in CSU symptoms were evaluated. Stool samples were examined with direct microscopic examination (native-lugol), stool concentration and trichrome staining methods. Results: In pediatric patient group, 18.4% (n = 14) of the stool samples were positive for Blastocystis sp., 2.6% (n = 2), Dientamoeba fragilis and 1.3% (n = 1), Giardia duodenalis. In adult patient group, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 18.4% (n = 7) of the stool samples. Anti-parasitic therapy yielded substantial improvement in urticaria symptoms in 57.1% of pediatric and 60.0% of adult patients. Conclusions: Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis may play a role in chronic urticaria which seriously disrupts the patient's quality of life. Parasitic infections should not be neglected in patients with cutaneous manifestations.

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Detection of Intestinal Parasites With Automated Sedimax2®. A New Step in the Parasitological Diagnosis in High Throughput Laboratories.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-146123/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gema Fernandez-Rivas ◽

Belén Rivaya ◽

Nona Romaní ◽

Jun Hao Wang Wang ◽

Mireya Alcaide ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Good Tool ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

Parasitological Diagnosis ◽

Automated Microscopy ◽

Extra Step ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Low Prevalence

Abstract Despite the low prevalence of parasitic infections in Europe, the diagnosis of intestinal parasites is difficult and laborious for microbiology laboratories. Currently, the antigens detection kits and the molecular biology have allowed an easier diagnosis. But these techniques have also limitations due to the fact that they do not detect all possible parasites presents in the samples. The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy and the usefulness of SediMAX2® (77 Elektronika, Budapest, Hungary) automated microscopy in the detection of parasitic structures from feces. A total of 197 formol-fixed stool samples were processed in parallel with wet mount examination and by SediMAX2®. Sensitivities, specificities and predictive values were analyzed, reaching sensitivity of 89.51% and specificity of 98.15%. Predictive values were also calculated with a very good positive predictive value (99.22%). SediMAX2® is a good tool for a reliable diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections. The easiness of use, processing and the flexibility in the images analyse allows its incorporation in the day to day laboratory work as an extra step for the parasitologists workload.

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Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Patients attending a Tertiary Care Centre in Central Nepal

Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal ◽

10.3126/jcmsn.v15i3.25209 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 175-178

Author(s):

Sanjana Raj Kumari ◽

Damodar Sharma ◽

Brajesh Jha

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Tertiary Care Centre ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Fresh Stool

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are important public health problem and are globally endemic. These parasites are responsible for the major share of morbidity and mortality in those communities where there is overcrowding, poor environmental sanitation and personal hygienic practices. Intestinal parasitic infection is highly prevalent among the general population in Nepal. This study was aimed to evaluate the burden of the intestinal parasitic infections and the pattern of distributions among patients attending in a tertiary care setting in Bharatpur, Nepal, over a period of one year (August 2017 to July 2018). Methods: Stool samples of patients received in the Microbiology laboratory, COMS that were subjected for routine stool investigations were included in this study. Naked eye physical examination, microscopic examination was carried out and parasites were identified in the received stool samples. The results were recorded, and data were entered into excel spreadsheet 2007. The percentages of the parasites present were calculated to find out the frequency and distribution. Results: A total of 1,558 fresh stool samples were screened, of which 20.60% (n=321) were positive for various intestinal parasites. Overall, helminthic infections (81.30%) were higher than protozoal infections (18.70%). On the whole, Ascaris lumbricoides showed higher prevalence (39.56%) followed by Ancylostoma duodenale (19.31%) and Giardia lamblia (9.97%). 17(1.09%) of the samples showed more than one parasite. Highest prevalence was seen in age group 15 to 25 years of age (27.40%). Conclusions: Parasitic infection is endemic. Apart from the early diagnosis and effective treatment, health education is a requisite to control infections in this area and awareness of sanitation to reduce and control parasitic infection.

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“STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES IN A LOW SOCIOECONOMIC AREA OF NORTH INDIA.”

10.36106/ijar/2508182 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 60-61

Author(s):

Nandlal Kumar ◽

Poonam Sagar ◽

Preeti Sagar

Keyword(s):

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Parasitic Infection ◽

The Elderly ◽

North India ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infection ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

E Coli ◽

Economic Area ◽

Stool Samples

Objective To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in low socio economic area of north of India. Method 128 subjects from a village were studied. Stool samples from all subjects were collected over a period of three months and were examined. Results The overall prevalence rate of various parasitic infections was 92.18%, with only 10 of 128 subjects not excreting parasites in their samples. The commonest parasites identied were E. coli infections in 31 (24.2%) subjects, Cyclospora sp. in 29 (22.6%) subjects and Giardia in (21.0%) subjects. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was relatively higher in females than males. In comparison to the elderly, children and teenagers were found to have a higher number of parasites.

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