Inter-relationship between ascariasis and nutritional status

Both ascariasis and malnutrition are prevalent in tropical countries and the two diseases are frequently associated in childrenFollowing experiments on animals and observation on man, it is accepted that ascariasis affects the hosts nutrition in several ways. In particular, it has been suggested that when protein in the diet is inadequate the incomplete digestion and absorption of protein may be one important factor in the etiology of protein deficiency in young childrenSeveral mechanisms of action of ascaris have been studied, the most important being the present of anti-enzyme produced by the worm, "intestinal hurry" and the mucosal irritation. The effects of heavy worm burdens on the nutritional status and growth of the host have been stressed. On the other hand, the role of the diet has been recognized as an important factor in the development of ascariasis. In particular, a low protein diet favours the establishment of an ascaris population. The mechanism suggested is a diminution of the hosts resistance to the helminthsIn conclusion, although further scientific investigation on man is required, it is felt that infection with ascaris especially with high worm burdens in malnourished children is a real additional hazard during the period of growth and physiological stress. Considering the synergism between nutrition and ascariasis, both prevention of malnutrition and deworming treatment are to be taken into account and require serious consideration in public health programmes designed for tropical and developing countries.(Conclusions)

Comparative studies on Philippine Paragonimus westermani and Japanese Paragonimus westermani

Paragonimus westermani in the Philippines has been reconfirmed to develop to sexual maturity in albino rats. The migration route of this species in albino rats have also been studied in detail and compared with that of Paragonimus westermani in Japan in ratsAs the result it was found that the course of migration of the larvae of Philippine P. westermani in rats was quite different from that of Japanese P. westermani in ratsIt has shown that it is possible to differentiate the species of Paragonimus westermani in the Philippines and Japan by means of immunoserological techniques such as compliment fixation test, double diffusion test and immunoelectrophoresis. The Philippine P. westermani from Japanese P. westermani not only morphology but also biological and immunological chararcteristics, therefore we reiterate the new name paragonimus philippinensis, (Ito, 1978) Philippine P. westermaniA new theory by Miyazaki (1977) concerning the taxonomy of Paragonimus westermani is also discussed. (Summary)

Current status of Brugian filariasis in the Republic of the Philippines

Brugian filariasis in the Republic of the Philippines was first reported in 1964 or 63 years after Bancroftian filariasis was reported in this country. The etiologic agent is Brugian malayi with a nocturnal subperiodic type of microfilarial periodicity. The four endemic foci are Palawan, Sulu, Agusan and Eastern Samar, with prevalence rate of 30-64%;24%, 1.2% and 0.030% respectively. The mosquito vectors are Mansonia bonneae and Mansonia uniformis with infection rate and infective rate of 0.98% and 0.51% respectively from Quezon, Palawan. The biting activity of these mosquitoes is from about 1600 to 2200 which correspond to the rise in microfilarial density in the peripheral blood and takes approximately 10 days for the development of larvae to the infective stage within vector mosquito Diagnosis may be by the thick blood film method stained with Giemsa and/or Delafield hematoxylin, serologic method such as SAFA and intradermal test using B malayi antigen and by the use of nuclepore filter. Treatment of cases may b done with the use of Diethylcarbamazine (Hetrazan) 6 mg/kg. body weight daily for 12 days or a total dose of 72 mg/kg Brugian filariasis appears to be confined in areas where fresh water swamps are found which are ideal breeding sites for the mosquito vectors. Control may be achieved by reduction in the number of mosquito vectors; avoidance of bites of vector mosquitoes and elimination of microfilaremia by drug treatment. (Summary)

The occurrence of dirofilaria magnilarvatum Price and Brugia sp. in Philippine monkeys

of 356 Macaca philippinensis examined, three were found infected with Dirofilaria magnilarvatum Price, 1959. One of these was infected also with a species of Brugia. Both species showed a sub-periodic type of microfilarial periodicity. These observations suggest that Philippine macaques may serve as reservoirs for sub-periodic B. malayi on Palawan, where high rates of infection have been found in people living in small villages in the forests. Mansonia bonneae was found naturally infected with third stage larvae of D. magnilarvatum. It is suggested that monkeys may serve as reservoirs for subperiodic B. malayi on the island of Palawan, where high rates of infection with this species have been observed in people living in small villages in the forest. (Summary)

Multiple infection with adult taenia solium case report

A rare case of multiple infection with adult Taenia solium in a 23 year old male subject is hereby presented. Attempts have been made to offer some plausible explanation for its occurrence. The author is of the opinion that this case is the first of its kind reported as gleaned from available literature. (Summary)

Studies on filariasis in the Philippines I. results of a survey in the province of Sorsogon and in the New Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa, Rizal

A survey for filariasis (wuchereriasis) was made among the inmates of the New Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa, Rizal, and on two population groups in the province of Sorsogon, Luzon. The results of the examination of prisoners, who came from 45 different provinces, agree with previous observations that filariasis is unevenly distributed in the Philippines. A high incidence of infection was found in Sorsogon and a number of cases of hydrocele, chylocele, lymph scrotum and elephantiasis of the genital organs and lower extremeties was encountered. Clinical filariasis appears to be also common in other parts of Southeastern Luzon and should receive attention as an important medical problem. Only the microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti was encountered in the blood of 79 positive cases from different parts of the Archipelago and it exhibited nocturnal periodicity. (Summary and Conclusion)

The intradermal test in the diagnosis of human intestinal capillariasis

Capillaria adult worms amounting to 4 ml were collected from the contents of the small intestines of a case who died and was autopsied and the material was made into a crude antigen for the intradermal test. This was tried on human intestinal capillariasis cases confined in 2 hospitals as well as among non-cases. Male subjects were found to be more reactive to the intradermal test than females, a finding similar to schistosomiasis intradermal test. Hence, it is suggested that a set of limits for positive and negative be prepared separately for the two sexes. The capillaria antigen employed in the test did not show any cross-reaction with trichuris, hookworm, schistosoma and trichinella. The test appeared to be highly sensitive and species specific, hence we recommend its use not only for epidemiological surveys but also for diagnosis of individual cases. It is felt that the test could pick up more cases in a shorter period than stool examination would, particularly among asymptomatic cases. The practicability of the test will become even more evident the moment the life cycle and biology of the parasite have neem elucidated, because transfer of the parasite into experimental animals would serve as sources of antigen. In the event that the parasite can not be transferred to animals the use of heterologous antigens such as animal capillaria might have to be resorted to. This method has been used in filariasis and schistosomiasis intradermal tests. (Summary and conclusion)

An attempt to determine contributory factors in the appearance of the purplish sheath of W. bancrofti microfilariae when stained with dilute giemsa

The staining experiment was an attempt to study and possibly identify some factors which may have influence the unusual appearance of purplish sheath of W. bancrofti when stained with dilute Giemsa. The results showed, subject to the limitations cited in connection with the basic data, that no significant differences in the appearance of the purplish sheath could be ascribed to the variety of Giemsa staining solutions use (American, German and Japanese). The use of tap water both as stain diluent and for washing excess stain appears to be the least favorable cause for the appearance of this unusual staining reaction. On the other hand, the likelihood of defecting microfilariae with purplish sheaths is highest at the thin sections of smears that were stained with Giemsa diluted with buffer solution and subsequently washed with tap water to remove excess stain. (Summary and conclusions)

Diagnosis of human filariasis by passive-hemagglutination and soluble antigen fluorescent antibody technic (SAFA)

In the Philippines, passive haemagglutination and soluble antigen fluorescent antibody tests using Dirofilaria immitis antigens were carried out on the sera of 33 patients infected with Wuchereria bancrofti and on the sera of 24 uninfected persons. False positives were as high as 70.8% indicating that in areas where the incidence of D. immitis in dogs is high, W. bancrofti antigens must be used. D.A.Cz.

Determination of mosquito vector of filariasis in Southern Sulu

The vector of bancroftian filariasis in Bongao, Sulu where abaca is not grown is Anopheles flavirostris. This finding confirms previous ones in Bontoc, Mt. Province and in Quezon, Palawan both of which do not grow abaca. Bancroftian filariasis in Sulu Archipelago may be grouped into urban type, transmitted by Anopheles flavirostris. It was unfortunate that the time of the mosquito survey did not coincide with the breeding season of Mansonia bonneae as shown in the few catches, hence we failed to incriminate the vector of malayan, filariasis in Sulu. Another follow-up study on this vector determination at the appropriate time of the year is indicated. (Summary and Conclusion)

Distribution and seasonal abundance of mosquitoes in the University of the Philippines campus

A total of 31 species of mosquitoes belonging to 4 genera were collected in a one-year survey in the University of the Philippines campus, Diliman, Quezon City. Of these, eight species are known disease vectors. It appears therefore that it is very unlikely that a mosquito-borne epidemic could occur among the university population because of their low density, except for Japanese B encephalitis which is relatively rare in this country. (Author)

Treatment of ascariasis with tetramisole

Tetramisole is effective against ascariasis in single dose treatment of 2.5 mgm/kilo of body weight. Of 357 cases treated, 86.86% were cured. It is comparatively non-toxic and its administration does not require any dietary or activity restriction of the patient.(Summary)

Reinfection rates of successfully treated cases of ascariasis in Victoria, Laguna

A total of 284 successfully treated cases of ascariasis among school children in Victoria, Laguna, were examined monthly after treatment for a period of seven months to determine the rate at which they were reinfected. During the first five months of observation 47.8% were reinfected. At the end of the seven months follow-up 80.9% were reinfected. Based on these observations, it appears that a once-a-year mass deworming program for school children is barely effective in lowering Ascaris transmission level in the community like the town of Victoria. (Summary and Conclusions)

Intestinal parasitism among two indigenous tribes in Palawan, Republic of the Philippines

Stool samples from a total of 162 individuals were examined. The subjects were residents of sitio Gungnan and Kambing of barrio Panitian, municipality of Quezon and also from sitio Pananbuan of barrio Cabuyugan, Puerto Princesa. Those from Gungnan and Kambing are called "Palawanos" while those from Pananauan are called "Batacs". The overall picture for the three common intestinal helminths is quite different from people coming from other parts of the Philippines. This observation is also true with regards to the findings on protozoa. There were marked differences in prevalence between the two tribes with respect to ascariasis, trichuris and hookworm infection. The same observation is true also for the protozoan parasites. As far as we know, this is the first intestinal parasitic survey done among indigenous tribes in Palawan.(Summary)

Paper electrophoresis of serum from patients with Philippine h-fever

The serum protein fractions from Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases were studied by means of paper electrophoresis as a preliminary step in the clarification of tbe biochemical nature of this disease. Variations in the electrophoretic pattern might indicate the presence of an aberrant chemical component or simply a quantitative increase or decrease in a well characterize constituent. Also, when abnormal patterns exist, these if consistent, may serve as a diagnostic tool or great clinical value. The limited clinical material available for study precludes the present work from becoming a definitive study. Analysis of the serum protein fractions of the Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases studied when compared to those of the control group exhibited certain characteristics of interest. Among these was the observation that the averages for each separated serum protein fraction of the Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases when compared to those of the control group were found to be significantly different with the exception of the alpha, globulin fraction. A study of the percentage of serum protein fractioin values for Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases that fall outside the standard deviation from the mean of the control group values showed 65 percent of the albumin fraction to be below this mean value, while none were above this values. Ten percent of the alpha cases were below while 30 percent were above the mean value. No alpha fractions were below but 55 percent were found to be above the control group mean value. Beta globulin was below the control mean value in 15 percent of the cases and above in 40 percent. Lastly the gamma globulin fraction was above the control group mean value in 60 percent, and below in only 5 percent of cases. No reversal of the albumin-globulin ratio was observed at any time. Total protein values were found to be within the normal range of the determination employed. A group of children studied separately showed no difference from the Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever case group as a whole. Examination of clinical records revealed a below average platelet count and positive tourniquet test producing petechial hemorrhages to be a consistent characteristic among Philippine Hemorrhagic Fever cases.(Summary)

Reinfection rates of successfully treated cases of ascariasis

A total of 373 successfully treated cases of ascariasis among school children with ages ranging from 9-14 years were periodically examined for reinfection rates. At the first follow-up which was 4 1/2 months after treatment, 68.63 per cent were found positive for ascaris ova while at the end of the period of observation which was approximately nine months after treatment, 89.54 per cent were reinfectedThis study indicates that children involved in mass treatment, where only a minimum amount of preventive measures and control have been undertaken, became reinfected at a fast rate thus wasting the efforts and medicines expended. (Summary and Conclusions)

Expulsion of taenia saginata and taenia solium by quinacrine (atabrine) treatment

1. Quinacrine hydrochloride with sodium bicarbonate when given orally to 16 patients with taeniasis produced expulsion of the worm in 15 or a cure rate of 93.7 per cent. Worms were expelled alive and stained with deep yellow color of quinacrine2. Out of 15 cases of taeniasis successfully treated 2 were caused by Taenia solium and 13 by Taenia saginata3. There was one case of multiple infection by Taenia saginata which is the first and only case so far recorded in the department of parasitology4. The symptoms experienced by some patients were nausea, vomitting, hunger pains and general body weakness which were considered benign and hence hospitalization during treatment is not warranted. (Summary)