Plants and intestinal parasitosis: a review on ethnopharmacological use by the Kantaruré-Batida indigenous community of Brazil

Indigenous knowledge is one of the most notable traditional sources about plants used to treat diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the botanical features and to investigate the pharmacological properties of plants used by the Kantaruré-Batida community to treat intestinal parasitosis. Botanical characterization was performed based on integrative review and on access to ‘Flora do Brasil’ platform, whereas plants’ pharmacological properties were investigated through systematic review. Among the 21 ethnospecies used, 48% were described as having activity against intestinal parasites. Although 52% had no such activity described, other properties can account for their use, that indicates that further studies are required. Therefore, this review reinforces the importance of valuing indigenous knowledge as tool to guide antiparasitic agent trials.

Magnitude and associated factors of Intestinal Parasitosis and Tuberculosis among Tuberculosis suspected patients attending Kuyu General Hospital, North Shewa, Oromia, Ethiopia

Background Intestinal parasites and Tuberculosis (TB) co-infection is a major public health problem. The parasitic infection suppresses the cell mediated immunity that protects tuberculosis. Helminthes-induced immune modulation promotes progression to active tuberculosis. However, there is paucity of evidences on the intestinal parasites-tuberculosis co-infection in Ethiopia. This study explores the magnitude and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection and TB among suspected pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Methodology A cross-sectional study design was conducted in Kuyu General Hospital from December 2019—March 2020. The socio-demographic data and associated factors were collected by structured questionnaire and then spot-spot sputum and fresh stool samples were collected following standard guidelines and were processed. Descriptive analysis was conducted and reported in frequency and percentage. Bivariate analysis was computed and a multivariable analysis was conducted to provide an adjusted odds ratio (AOR). P-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant. Results The burden of intestinal parasites was 20.2% (49/ 242) and 6.1% (20/ 242) of them were helminths infections and 14.1% (29/ 242) were protozoa infections. Of 242 patients, 14.9% (36/242) were sputum smear-positive for acid fast-bacilli. Of 36 smear positive patients, 9(25%) had TB–intestinal parasites co-infection. Dwelling in rural areas and having untrimmed fingernails were statistically significantly associated with intestinal parasites. Having a contact history of Tb patients was significantly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions The magnitude of intestinal parasites and TB among PTB suspected patients were high. Hookworm infection was the predominant helmenthic infection. It is important to consider screening TB patients for intestinal parasites and treat co-infection properly.

Intestinal Parasitosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis Infected Patients from Dharan, Nepal

Intestinal parasitic infestation reflects a health threat with patients living with HIV & Tu-berculosis (TB). Parasitic infections caused by protozoa and helminths are the most com-mon infections worldwide. The present study was done to find out the frequency of intes-tinal parasitosis among HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) patients of Dharan total of 53 samples (>15 years) from HIV seropositive patients and 28 samples (>20years) from TB patients were collected in a clean, dry and capped fitted container and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic examination for ova, cyst, adult parasites and or segments of parasites. Stool samples were fixed in a 10% formalin-ether solution. Sedimentation technique, with modified acid-fast (Ziehl-Neelsen) staining method, was performed for opportunistic in-testinal parasites in both patients. Multi-parasitic infection was noted in the study. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was found to be 54 (66.67%). This result had shown that the participation of male patients was comparatively higher than female pa-tients. Out of 81 stool samples, 15 (27.78%) G. lamblia, 12(22.22%) E. histolytica, 12 (22.22%) Cryptosporidium parvum, 6 (11.11%), Isospora belli 4 (7.40%) Microspridium, 1(1.85%) Blastocystis hominis, 2(3.70%) and Taenia spp, 2(3.70%). To prevent this infec-tion appropriate health education should be given to the patients concerning disease trans-mission, antiparasitic therapy, personal hygiene, and safe drinking water.

Anthropometric Indices of Giardia-Infected Under-Five Children Presenting with Moderate-to-Severe Diarrhea and Their Healthy Community Controls: Data from the Global Enteric Multicenter Study

Among all intestinal parasitosis, giardiasis has been reported to be associated with delayed growth in malnourished children under 5 living in low- and middle-income countries. Relevant data on the nutritional status of children aged 0–59 months presenting with moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) and giardia infection were collected from sentinel health facilities of the Global Enteric Multicenter Study’s (GEMS) seven field settings, placed in diverse countries of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia between, December 2007 and February 2011. Then, this study analyzed a robust dataset of study participants (n = 22,569). Children having giardiasis with MSD constituted as cases (n = 1786), and those without MSD constituted as controls (n = 3470). Among the seven field sites, symptomatic giardiasis was 15% and 22% in Asian and African sites, respectively, whereas asymptomatic giardia infection (healthy without MSD) in Asian and African sites was 21.7% and 30.7%, respectively. Wasting and underweight were more frequently associated and stunting less often associated with symptomatic giardiasis (for all, p < 0.001). Symptomatic giardiasis had a significant association with worsening of nutritional status in under-five children. Improved socio-economic profile along with proper sanitation and hygienic practices are imperative to enhance child nutritional status, particularly in resource limited settings.

Gastrointestinal Parasitosis and Anemia Monitoring in the Child Population of Villa Clarín, Colombia

BackgroundThere is limited non-anecdotal literature on the effectiveness of health policies and the prevalence of childhood anemia in rural communities in the Colombian Caribbean region. The objective of the following study is to report a parasitological and hematological episode of 94 children belonging to the child population of Villa Clarín, Colombia, and reinforce the disposable literature of local care reports.Case presentationThis article studies an event of intestinal parasitosis prevalence and anemia in 94 children between 1 and 11 years of age, grouped into three age ranges of 1 to 3 years, 4 to 6 years, and 7 to 11 years of age respectively, from the rural community of Villa Clarín, Colombia. Blood samples were obtained by venipuncture and processed through a complete blood count. The feces were collected by spontaneous evacuation and analyzed using a spontaneous sedimentation technique. The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 96.81%. ConclusionsEight of the 91 children in whom intestinal parasites were detected had anemia while 29 were above the normal levels of hemoglobin. An association was found with E. histolytica / dispar, but not with A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, S. stercolaris, Uncinaria, Taenia sp, H. nana, H. diminuta, G. lamblia, T. hominis or B. hominis. The high prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and the anemia levels indicate deficiencies in environmental sanitation and hygienic-sanitary measures.

Descriptive study of intestinal parasites in a municipality of the western Brazilian Amazon

Intestinal parasites are among the most prevalent infections in humans. A cross-sectional survey was performed in a Canutama, Amazonas state, Brazil, in order to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites. The detection of parasites in the feces was performed using the Lutz method. Demographic data and the characteristics of the households were collected using a questionnaire. The prevalence of parasites was 36.9%. Ascaris lumbricoides (7.14%) was the most prevalent. The absence of a sewage network, consumption of raw vegetables and raw meat are risk factors for contracting intestinal parasitosis. We reported a prevalence of intestinal parasites and determined some of the risk factors.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection in Relation to Age in the Urban Population from Chandigarh, India

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection is a global health problem particularly in the developing countries with different prevalence rates in different regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in different age groups in the urban population of Chandigarh, India. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study included stool samples 504 in number from human subjects from Chandigarh. Unstained wet saline mount preparations of stool sample were done to detect eggs or larvae and iodine wet mount to detect ova/ cysts of tapeworm, Enterobius, Ascaris, Giardia, Trichuris and Hookworm. Results: A high prevalence rate of intestinal parasitosis (73%) was seen. The age group distribution shows a higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the young population (age group 21-30 years and 31-40 years). Ascariasis was the most common parasitic infection observed. Conclusion: The present study reveals a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the study population and calls for long term control measures to improve their sanitary and living conditions.