scholarly journals Enteric parasites and socio-epidemiological variables in an academic community

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-178
Author(s):  
Aldery Souza Passos ◽  
Raissa Da Silva Santos ◽  
Raoni Dos Santos Andrade ◽  
Edemilton Ribeiro Santos Junior ◽  
Erica Santos Bomfim ◽  
...  

Studies linking human health to environmental conditions are essential since parasitic diseases are connected to environmental and sanitary aspects. This study identified the prevalence of enteric parasites in an academic community in the municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. The purpose was to determine the existence, or not, of links between infections and socio-epidemiological variables, such as personal hygiene habits, the presence of sewage systems and the environment. Participants answered a questionnaire and received universal collectors for fecal samples. Spontaneous sedimentation methods and Rugai were used for diagnosis. One hundred twenty-one samples were analyzed, in which a 38.8% parasite prevalence was detected as well as a 61.7% rate of monoparasitism, as well as a predominance of protozoa Endolimax nana (78.7%) and Giardia duodenalis (21.3%). Among parasitized individuals, 97.9% lived in the Recôncavo Baiano region. The following statistical significance stands out in the findings, with p<0.05: individuals who had already bathed in the local river were more likely to be parasitized than those who had not (p = 0.034) and individuals who washed their hands more frequently before meals proved to be less prone to intestinal parasitic infections (p = 0.018). Results evidenced the presence of enteric parasites in a number of participants in spite of their being university students. The socio-epidemiological variables analyzed brought to light characteristics that favor the establishment of the epidemiological infection triad, such as improper packaging of household waste on disposal and no records of regular domestic water tank cleaning.  KEY WORDS: Enteric parasites; environment; diagnosis; health education.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sirima Kitvatanachai ◽  
Bajaree Jantrapanukorn ◽  
Utsanee Supcharoengoon ◽  
Chalirmporn Atasilp

Food handlers play an important role in the transmission of foodborne diseases. 108 asymptomatic food handlers work in RSU canteens and have never been checked for intestinal bacteria and parasites, which might be a potential source of infection for customers. This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of enteropathogenic bacterial and intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers in Rangsit University canteens, central Thailand. A total of 79 food handlers were enrolled, and each provided one stool sample (response rate of 73.2%). Females comprised 93.7% of study participants, and the largest age group was 41–50 years (34.2%). The prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in stool cultures was 2.5%, and only Aeromonas spp. were detected. The pathogenic protozoa Giardia duodenalis was detected in 1.3% of samples, and nonpathogenic protozoa was found in 11.4%. No helminths were found in any samples. Approximately 80% of food handlers demonstrated good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing after visiting the toilet, regular hand washing when preparing food, using soap when washing hands, wearing uniforms/gowns, practicing correct hand washing techniques, and having short fingernails. However, the results showed a lack of personal hygiene training and routine medical care (>50% of samples). Stronger intervention would help to eliminate future infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. e0009543
Author(s):  
Amber N. Barnes ◽  
Anu Davaasuren ◽  
Uyanga Baasandavga ◽  
Paul M. Lantos ◽  
Battsetseg Gonchigoo ◽  
...  

Background Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important zoonotic enteric pathogens of One Health concern for humans, animals, and the environment. For this study, we investigated parasite prevalence and risk factors among rural, peri-urban, and urban households and environments of Mongolia. Methods This cross-sectional study implemented a household risk factor survey at 250 home sites along with sample collection from humans, animals, flies, and drinking water. Multiplex real-time PCR analysis was conducted to look for Cryptosporidium spp. and/or Giardia duodenalis within household samples. Results Lab analysis found one or both zoonotic parasites at 20% of the participating households (51/250). Human samples had a parasite prevalence of 6.4% (27/419), domestic animals at 3.3% (19/570), pooled filth flies at 14.8% (17/115), and drinking water samples at 2% (5/250). Parasite presence at the household was significantly associated with a household’s use of an improved drinking water source (OR 0.27; CI 0.12–0.61; p = < 0.01), having an indoor handwashing site (OR 0.41; CI 0.19–0.92; p = 0.03), domestic animal ownership (OR 2.40; CI 1.02–5.65; p = 0.05), and rural location (OR 0.50; CI 0.25–0.98; p = 0.04). Household use of an improved drinking water source remained significant in the multivariate model (OR 0.16; CI 0.04–0.68; p = 0.01). Conclusion In Mongolia, public and veterinary health are intertwined, particularly for rural herding households. Increased access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure could help prevent further transmission of zoonotic enteric parasites. Public health interventions, policy and messaging should utilize a One Health framework employing joint leadership from local human and animal health sectors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Taye ◽  
Asfaw Negero ◽  
Tomas Benti

Abstract Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infections in the developing world. Globally, out of the 1.5 billion annual cases of diarrhea, about 70% or 1.05 billion cases are thought to be caused by biological contamination of food. In Ethiopia, due to poor environmental sanitation, low awareness about personal hygiene, lack of pure potable water, and improper faecal disposal, intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers working in food and drinking establishments in Ginnir town, southeast, Ethiopia.Method: Cross-sectional study design was employed from May 1 to May 29, 2014 in food and drinking establishments in Ginnir town. A total of 348 food handlers were selected using simple random sampling method. Stool specimens were collected and examined using direct saline and formol-ether concentration methods. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. A P-value <0.05 was considered as an indicator of statistical significance.Result: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers was 48/348(13.8%). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 23/348(6.6%) followed by Giardia lamblia 16/348(4.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides 7/348(2.0%) and Strongyloides stercolaris 2/348(0.6%) were the most prevalent parasites. Moreover, comparable proportions of parasites were detected in males (52%) and females (48%). Habit of eating raw/under cooked vegetables (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=2.94-8.67) and poor personal hygiene (AOR=3.39, 95% CI=1.51-10.23) were factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections.Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers is relatively low. Though the prevalence rate is low; regular medical check-up, training and health education on safe food handling and processing should be given for all food handlers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (05) ◽  
pp. 532-539
Author(s):  
Filipa Santana Ferreira ◽  
Filomena da Luz Martins Pereira ◽  
Maria do Rosário Oliveira Martins

Introduction: Intestinal parasites are known to cause infection in humans worldwide, with higher prevalence in low- and middle- incoming countries. Children are greatly affected leading to malnutrition and subsequently to physical and cognitive development impairment. Despite the scale and importance of this issue, there are few studies conducted in Mozambique concerning parasitic intestinal infections in hospitalized children. To our knowledge this is the first published report with data on this subject from Northern Mozambique. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 in 831 children, attending the Central Hospital of Nampula in Northern Mozambique. One single stool sample was obtained from each child. Socio-demographic and clinical data were also obtained. Parasitological analysis of feces was performed through direct examination and Ritchie concentration technique and Giardia duodenalis antigen detection by rapid immunochromatographic test. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining was used for coccidia detection. Results: The global prevalence of pathogenic intestinal parasites was 31.6%. G. duodenalis (23.9%) was by far the most prevalent parasite followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (4.1%) and Cryptosporidium sp. (3.4%). Intestinal parasites were more frequent in older children (p = 0.005; aOR = 1.025). Conclusions: This work is one of the few published studies reporting intestinal parasites infection in hospitalized children. The percentage of children affected with G. duodenalis is higher than found in other studies in the African region. This highlights the need of particular attention being given to this intestinal protozoan and its resistance to water treatment, as well as to environmental health and personal hygiene.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayana Gunathilaka ◽  
Dimuthu Niroshana ◽  
Deepika Amarasinghe ◽  
Lahiru Udayanga

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infection is a serious issue in cattle management. The effects of GI parasites may vary with age, sex of cattle, nutritional condition, and severity of infection. Prevalence of GI parasites among cattle population in Gampaha District has not been studied and there is no published study available. A total of 45 farms rearing cattle were selected randomly in three areas, namely, Kelaniya, Ganemulla, and Welisara, under three Veterinary Surgeon Divisions (VSD) in Gampaha District (Mahara, Gampaha, and Welisara). Freshly voided cattle fecal samples were collected randomly from the selected farms during March 2017–December 2017. Out of 163 cattle and buffaloes examined, 13.39% (n=22) were positive for eggs of one or more species of GI parasites. The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in buffaloes (31.25%, 5/16) as compared to that of cows (11.56%, 21/147), but the difference was not significant (P >0.05). Hookworms (Bunostomum spp.), whipworms (Trichuris spp.), digenetic trematodes (Paramphistomum spp.), cestodes (Moniezia spp.), and oocysts of protozoans (coccidians) were found during the study. The nontreated animals indicated the highest percentage of parasitic infections accounting for 46.67% (n= 14), followed by partially treated individuals (15.15%, n= 5). GI parasite prevalence in males was higher when compared to that of females, but the difference was nonsignificant (P >0.05). General Linear Modelling (GLM) revealed that the effect of treatment status was significantly associated with the prevalence of GI parasites. The calves and yearlings had the highest rate of GI parasitic infections. The highest infection rate was observed at Kelaniya, followed by Welisara. Future investigations are necessary to evaluate the economic impact of GI parasites in the study areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kefale Shiferaw ◽  
Teklemichael Tesfay ◽  
Girmay Kalayu ◽  
Gebrehiwot Kiros

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in grade school children in Maksegnit, Northwest Ethiopia. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 155 (40.4%). Among these, Ascaris lumbricoides 122 (31.8%) and Entamoeba histolytica 18 (4.7%) were predominant. Of the total 155 (40.4%) positive individuals, 149 (39%) had a single infection and the rest 6 (1.6%) had double parasitic infections. Of the different variables assessed, age, gender, shoe wearing, and eating raw or undercooked vegetables were not significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites ( P > 0.05 ). However, a statistically significant association ( P < 0.05 ) was observed between infected children and variables including defecation habit (AOR = 0.216), cleanliness of fingernails (AOR = 0.146), drinking river water (AOR = 0.124), and hand washing habit after defecation (AOR = 0.236) ( P < 0.05 ). Regular deworming, education on personal hygiene, and environmental sanitation to both students and their parents shall be implemented to reduce the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections in the study area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-36
Author(s):  
Ririn Liandari

Abstract: Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health problem for developing countries located in tropical and subtropical regions due to uncontrolled population growth, weather variations, low levels of knowledge, and poor nutrition. Giardia lamblia is a protozoa that has flagellate, which is in the upper segment of the small intestine and humans are infected by consuming food or drinks contaminated with parasitic cysts. Blastocystis hominis is the most common parasite that infects the digestive system of humans and some animals, such as mammals, birds, reptiles and anthropods. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of individual hygiene and food hygiene to cases of intestinal parasites in students' feces at a boarding school in Surabaya. The research was an observational study with a cross sectional research design. The population of the study was 10 Islamic boarding school students, aged 7-13 years. The sampling technique in this study was nonprobabilty sampling. Data was collected by interviewing, filling out questionnaires, taking samples of santri stools and taking santri food samples. 50% poor personal hygiene and 100% negative Escherichia coli on food. Spearman test results where p = 0, 040 So that there is a relationship between individual hygiene and intestinal parasites in feces in Islamic boarding schools in Islamic boarding schools, with a correlation coefficient of -0.655 so that it has a strong relationship with the opposite direction.  Keywords: Personal hygiene, Eschericia coli, parasite intestinal


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Sherlina Rintik Tirta Ayu ◽  
Sri Haryati ◽  
Yulia Sari ◽  
Sutartinah Handayani

<p>Intestinal parasitic infections are caused by protozoa, STH and non-STH worms. Immunity, which can be determined by measuring nutritional status, and personal hygiene can affect the occurrence of intestinal parasite infections. This study aims to determine the relationship between personal hygiene and nutritional status against intestinal parasite infections in elementary school students in Simo Boyolali. This type of analytic observational research with a cross sectional approach. Total sampling was taken at elementary school of Wates, Talakbroto 1, and Kedunglengkong 1 Simo, Boyolali. There were 11 students with worms infections, 16 with protozoa infections, and 4 with worms and protozoa infection. There was a relationship between washing hands before eating (p = 0.004), after eating (0.027), after defecating (p = 0.04), biting nails (p = 0.008), wearing footwear when leaving the house (p = 0.008) , removing shoes while playing during school breaks (p = 0.001), and nutritional status (p = 0.002) with intestinal parasite infection. There was no relationship between nail clipping once a week (p = 0.118) and the availability of a latrine (p = 0.416) with intestinal parasitic infections. So, there is a relationship between personal hygiene (washing hands before eating, after eating, after defecating, biting nails, wearing footwear when leaving the house, removing shoes when playing during school breaks, and nutritional status) and intestinal parasitic infections.</p><p> </p><p>Keywords<strong>:</strong> elementary school; protozoa; worms.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-305
Author(s):  
H. M. Al-Mekhlafi

SummaryHymenolepis nana is the most common cestode reported in humans worldwide. It is prevalent among children in the tropics and subtropics, particularly in rural poor communities where sanitation is inadequate or lacking. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and significant risk factors of H. nana infection among children in rural Yemen. Faecal samples were collected from 498 children and screened for intestinal parasites by using wet mount, formalin-ether concentration and Kato–Katz techniques. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect demographic, socioeconomic, housing condition, and personal hygiene information. Overall, 77.5 % (386/498) of the children were found to be infected by at least one intestinal parasite species. The overall prevalence of H. nana was 17.5 % (87/498). Multivariate analysis confirmed that an age of < 6 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.28; 95 % (confidence interval [CI] = 2.04, 8.98), presence of other family members infected with H. nana (AOR = 2.48; 95 % CI = 1.45, 4.24), living in the highlands (AOR = 2.87; 95 % CI = 1.56, 5.26), living in a house without improved toilet facilities (AOR = 2.19; 95 % CI = 1.23, 3.88), not washing vegetables before consumption (AOR = 2.11; 95 % CI = 1.06, 4.19), and not washing hands after defecation (AOR = 1.88; 95 % CI = 1.08, 3.27) were the key factors significantly associated with H. nana infection among the studied children. In conclusion, H. nana is prevalent among children in rural Yemen, particularly among preschool-aged children. Thus, an integrated and effective programme to control intestinal parasitic infections should include preschool-aged children. Such a programme should focus on providing health education on hygienic practices, providing adequate sanitation and improved sources of drinking water, and screening and treating other infected family members.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora L. Ursache ◽  
Adriana Györke ◽  
Viorica Mircean ◽  
Mirabela Oana Dumitrache ◽  
Andrei Răzvan Codea ◽  
...  

Abstract Gastrointestinal parasites are involved in the health and wellbeing of cats and some of them, due to their zoonotic character represent a problem for the public health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in cats with digestive symptoms. Faecal samples collected from 137 cats were analysed by the flotation method using sodium chloride saturated solution. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites was 56.6%. GI parasites were significantly (p=0.005) more common in cats with digestive symptoms (69.8%) than in clinically healthy ones (23.0%). Toxocara cati (40.2%) was the most frequently identified GI parasite, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (10.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (3.7%), Taenia spp. (2.2), Giardia duodenalis (2.2%), and Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts (0.7%). T. cati (53.3%, p<0.0001) and Cystoisospora spp. (15.6%, p<0.001) were significantly more frequently diagnosed in cats with digestive symptoms. Lack of deworming in the last three months (OR: 15.9), outdoor access (OR: 13.8), the presence of digestive symptoms (OR: 5.4), and young age (OR: 4.2) were identified as risk factors for T. cati infection by logistic regression analysis. Regardless of the age, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and inappetence were positively associated with T. cati.


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