Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among children from a shanty town in Tucuman, Argentina

DIB, JULIÁN; FERNANDEZ ZENOFF, MV; OQUILLA, JUANA; LAZARTE, SILVIA GRACIELA; GONZALEZ, SILVIA NELINA

TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE

MALAYSIAN SOC PARASITOLOGY TROPICAL MEDICINE

Año: 2015 vol. 32 p. 210 - 215

0127-5720

A parasitological survey was conducted in children living in a poor area next to a drainagechannel, in Tucumán province, Argentina. Stool specimens from 115 children werecollected and samples were analyzed by direct microscopy examination and concentrationtechniques. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites infection was high (78.3%) andBlastocystis hominis was the most frequent protozoan parasite found (68.9%) followed byGiardia intestinalis (33.3%), Entamoeba coli (24.4%), Endolimax nana (12.2%),Chilomastix mesnili (5.6%) and Iodamoeba bütschlii (2.2%). Ascaris lumbricoides was themost prevalent intestinal helminth, with an infection frequency of 38.9%, followed byTrichuris trichiura (13.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (13.3%), Hymenolepis nana (7.8%)and Enterobius vermicularis (3.3%). Multiple parasitic infections were also high, affecting71.1% of infected population. These results indicate that sanitary policies, including healthcare and sanitary education have been inadequate for the control of intestinal parasitism inthis high-risk population. Implementation of sanitation programs is a basic need and a jointcollaboration between public servant and health professionals should be a priority.