ABSTRACT
Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is a major public health problem in tropical areas such as the Philippines. A significant portion of the population in the Philippines consists of people located in the provinces as well as hard to reach localities that often cater to fishing and rural communities. Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections, helminth densities, and relevant risk factors associated with helminth infections among grade school children. Materials and Methods: In July 2015, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among Kindergarten to Grade 10 pupils in Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle (JHIS-LS) in Bagac, Bataan, Philippines was determined using Kato-Katz technique. Moreover, socio-demographic profile including sex, age, and hygiene and sanitation practices of the pupils were obtained. Results: Of the 110 pupils, a prevalence rate of 6.36% with at least one STH infection was identified. The predominant parasites were Trichuris trichiura (56%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22%) and Enterobius vermicularis (22%). T. trichiura was identified in single infection while A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis were found in mixed infections. Of the socio-demographic characteristics of the pupils, the use of soap in washing hands is a protective factor against helminth infections (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.02-0.97). Conclusion: Further studies using different STH diagnostic procedures must be done and other risk factors associated with STH must be identified.
ABSTRACT
Biofilm formed by Candida albicans on latex silicone surfaces was characterized by instrumental techniques such as fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The growth and viability of C. albicans on the biofilm formed were described using different kinetic rate equations. C. albicans biofilm has a complex and heterogenous structure with hyphal elements and yeast cells entrenched within a polysaccharide matrix. Spectroscopic studies revealed specific stretching frequencies of O-H, C-O, and C=O which can be attributed to the presence of some functionalities in the biofilm formed by C. albicans. Viability of C. albicans behaved in accordance with the first-order kinetic equation on the first 48 h, then shifted to a second-order kinetic equation until the 72 h, and had a doubling time of 70 h. Information on model biofilms with emphasis on growth rates and morphogenesis, structural organization, and physicochemical characteristics can possibly explain resistance to some antifungal treatments and subsequent synthesis of newer generation drugs for fungal biofilm-related infections.