Effect of Socio-economic Status, Quality of Hygiene, Nutritional Status on Helminthic Infection Among School Going Children

Background: Helminthic infections have been major publichealth burdens. Some isolated helminths include Ascarislumbricoides, the whipworm Trichuris trichuira, the hookwormAncylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus andStrongyloides stercoralis. The present study was conducted tostudy the effect of socio-economic status, quality of hygiene,nutritional status on helminthic infection among school goingchildren aged between 5 to 13 years.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on 352children at Govt. Primary school, Rajapur was conducted fromJanuary 2007 to June 2008. Children were interviewed usingpre-tested proformas to identify the risk factors and prevalenceof Helminthic infestation. Stool examination was done by usingthe formal ether concentration technique in microbiologylaboratory at M. R. Medical college. Statistical analysis wasdone by using the percentage, chi-square, SPSS statisticalsoftware.Results: Out of 352 children 162 tested positive for variousintestinal helminth’s in the age group 5 to 13 years. The overallprevalence of Helminthic infestation was 46.02% thepredominant parasites were Ascaris Lumbricoides 48.77%followed by Hymenolepsis Nana 27.16% Ancylostomaduodenale 11.73%, Trichuris Trichiura 9.88% & Enterobiusvermicularis 2.46%. 4.94% cases were of mixed infection. Thepresent study found that Socio-economic class, nutritionalstatus and pallor was significantly associated with prevalenceof Helminthic infestation. Habit of digit sucking or nail bitting,Storage of food and water were not significantly associatedwith Helminthic infestation (p>0.05). The association betweenHand wash before eating food, Status of Nails, practice of openair defecation and hand wash with soap after defecation,footwear use, eating mud or pica, drawing water for drinking,source of water, eating of raw vegetables or fruits, eating offood sold by vendor and prevalence of Helminthic infestationwere found to be significant (P<0.05). The association betweenprevalence of Helminthic Infestation and KAP of children wasalso found to be Significant.Conclusions: In the present study the prevalence ofhelminthic infestation in school children are on the higher sidewhich requires due attention and consideration despitehelminthic control programme in school for all children.

Association Between Age, Sex, Religion and Helminthic Infection Among Children Aged Between 5 to 13 Years: An Institutional Based Study

Background: Worm infestation is a major Health problem inchildren of developing countries, its effective prevention andcontrol requires identification of local risk factors particularlyamong high risk groups. The present study was conducted tostudy t various factors like age, sex, religion and helminthicinfection among children aged between 5 to 13 years.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study on 352children at Govt. Primary school, Rajapur was conducted fromJanuary 2007 to June 2008. Children were interviewed usingpre-tested proformas to identify the risk factors and prevalenceof Helminthic infestation. Stool examination was done by usingthe formal ether concentration technique in microbiologylaboratory at M. R. Medical College. Statistical analysis wasdone by using the percentage, chi-square, SPSS statisticalsoftware.Results: Out of 352 children 162 tested positive for variousintestinal helminth’s in the age group 5 to 13 years. The overallprevalence of Helminthic infestation was 46.02% thepredominant parasites were Ascaris Lumbricoides 48.77%followed by Hymenolepsis Nana 27.16% Ancylostomaduodenale 11.73%, Trichuris Trichiura 9.88% & Enterobiusvermicularis 2.46%. 4.94% cases were of mixed infection.Helminthic infestation among males was 48.33% and females43.60%. Religion, Sex, Type of family were not significantlyassociated with Helminthic infestation (p>0.05). Theassociation between prevalence of Helminthic Infestation andKAP of children was also found to be Significant.Conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence ofHelminthic infestation among primary school children were highand need to be addressed.

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Dogs and Two Species of Wild Animals from Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasitic infections and associated risk factors for the human infection among the people of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Infection status of helminths including Echinococcus granulosus was surveyed in domestic and wild animals from 4 sites in the Samarkand region, Uzbekistan during 2015–2018. Fecal samples of each animal were examined with the formalin-ether sedimentation technique and the recovery of intestinal helminths was performed with naked eyes and a stereomicroscope in total 1,761 animals (1,755 dogs, 1 golden jackal, and 5 Corsac foxes). Total 658 adult worms of E. granulosus were detected in 28 (1.6%) dogs and 1 (100%) golden jackal. More than 6 species of helminths, i.e., Taenia hydatigena, Dipylidium caninum, Diplopylidium nolleri, Mesocestoides lineatus, Toxocara canis, and Trichuris vulpis, were found from 18 (1.0%) dogs. Six (T. hydatigena, Toxascaris leonina, Alaria alata, Uncinaria stenocephala, D. caninum, and M. lineatus) and 2 (D. nolleri and M. lineatus) species of helminths were also detected from 5 Corsac foxes and 1 golden jackal, respectively. Taeniid eggs were found in 2 (20%) out of 10 soil samples. In the present study, it was confirmed that the prevalences of helminths including E. granulosus are not so high in domestic and wild animals. Nevertheless, the awareness on the zoonotic helminth infections should be continuously maintained in Uzbekistan for the prevention of human infection.

Survey on Intestinal Helminthic Infection Status of Students in Two Counties, Hadong-gun and Goseong-gun, Korea

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among students from Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do and Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do as typical low and high endemic counties. From May to July 2017, a total of 2,033 fecal samples were collected at 27 elementary, 10 junior high, and 8 high schools from 2 counties and examined by the Kato-Katz technique for egg-positive surveys (Collection rate: 37.02% [2,033/5,492]). Of the participants examined, 13 (0.64%) were found to harbor eggs of 3 parasitic species, Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus yokogawai. Based on the regional distribution, the egg-positive rate in Goseong-gun was 0% (0/550) and that in Hadong-gun was 0.88% (13/1,483). The positive rates for C. sinensis, M. yokogawai, and T. trichiura in Hadong-gun were 0.20% (3/1,483), 0.61% (9/1,483), and 0.07% (1/1,483), respectively. The present survey showed that the prevalence of parasitic infection among students is currently very low even in remote, previously endemic areas, and the present status of parasitic diseases can be summarized as some transmission of fish/food-borne trematodes. Thus, it is necessary to carefully, continuously monitor the trematode infection status, particularly of C. sinensis and M. yokogawai.

Anti-Helminthic Potential of Solvent Extracts of Indigenous Botanicals.

Ethno botanical studies reveal that the indigenous knowledge of a community is a key player in the identification of medicinal plants and such plants have been often tested by generations of indigenous people. In the present investigation, the hydro-alcoholic extracts of leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Swertia chirayta (Chirayta) were assessed for anti-helminthic potential against helminths (earthworms were used as model) at 10, 50 and 100 mg/ml. No anti-helminthic potential was observed at 10 mg/ml of dose of the hydro-alcoholic extracts of Swertia chirayta. The hydro-alcoholic extracts of both the plants showed significant anti-helminthic activity on selected worms at higher doses. Hydro-alcoholic leaves extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) was found to be more active as compared to hydro-alcoholic whole plant extracts of Swertia chirayta (Chirayta) at concentration of 100 mg/ml. It was observed that with the variation in dose, the death time and paralysis time of the worms’ decreases. The results indicated that extracts possessed dose dependent anti-helminthic activity. The results were compared to Piperazine citrate and Albendazole (15 mg/ml). The hydro-alcoholic extracts demonstrated paralysis as well as death of worms in a less time in comparison to the standard drugs. The anti-helminthic activity of the extracts indicates the presence of active principle responsible for anti-helminthic activity.

Study of incidence of helminthic infestation in children aged 1 to 15 years attending to a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Helminthic infestation is common in children because of their habits and opportunity for exposure. The present study was undertaken in the Narayana Hospital, Nellore to determine the incidence of various helminthes, the symptomatology and clinical manifestations of various helminthes and to correlate type of helminthic infestatioin. Material and methods: This is a prospective study, was done in 1 to 15 years children who attended O P D or admitted to the pediatric ward, Narayana Hospital, Nellore. The material for the study comprises of 500 children’s, who attended OPD or admitted to the Pediatric ward belonging to 1 to 15 years age groups. A detailed clinical examination including stool examination was done for all the 500 children. Blood examination was done for knowing the degree of anemia. Results and discussion: Out of 500 children examined in various age groups, 275 children’s were found to be positive for one or other helminthic ova in the stool samples examined giving an overall incidence of 55%. Number of stool samples examined Number of stool samples infested with Helminths. Out of 500 children examined, 235 were males and 265 were females, of which 130 males and 145 females were found to be infested for one or other helminthic ova. Out of 500 stool examples examined 275 were positive for one or other helminthic ova, 160 were positive for ascariasis, 20 were positive for Hookworm, 40 were positive for Trichuris trichura, 10 were positivefor hymenolepis nana and 5 was positive for Taenia infestation. Out of 500 children studied, 130 children belong to class V Socio - economic class, 150 children belong to class IV socio - economic class, 120 children belong to class III Soci -economic class and 100 children belong to class II Socio – economic class, giving a percentage of infestation according to Socio - economic class, giving a percentage of infestation according to Socio-–economic class as 80% in class V, 63.3% in class IV, 41.7% in class - III and 30% in class II respectively. Anemia in hookworm infestation was of mild degree in all 15 children. Anemia in mixed infestation was of mild degree in 20 children and moderate degree in 5 children. Out of 500 children studied 300 children had normal nutritional status a nd positive percentage of helminthic infestation in them was 26.7%, 140 children had Grade – I malnutrition and positive percentage of helminthic infestation in them 96.4, 40 children had Grade-II and 20 children had Grade - 111 malnutrition. Positive percentage of helminthic infestation in Grade – II and Grade – III malnutrition was found to be 100%. Conclusion: This study confirms the finding of the other authors all over india regarding helminthic infestations in respect to epidemiology, clinical manifestations and relation with nutritional status. There was a high co-relation with poor nutritional status.

Iron Deficiency among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at the KNUST Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Pregnant women constitute a high risk group for iron deficiency due to increased iron requirements for foetal and maternal tissues growth. This study sought to find out the prevalence of iron deficiency among Ghanaian pregnant women obtaining antenatal care at the University hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Methods: The study was conducted between January and May, 2013. A total of 180 women, 150 at various stages of pregnancy and 30 non-pregnant women as control group were recruited for the study. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was obtained from the subjects by means of face-to-face interviews. Using venous blood samples, iron status of subjects was assessed by the determination of haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell volume, red cell distribution width, serum ferritin, serum iron, serum transferrin, total iron binding capacity, unoccupied iron binding capacity and percentage saturation of transferrin. Intestinal helminthic infestation was determined by stool examination. Results: Decreasing levels of haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin, Total iron binding capacity and increasing levels of Mean cell volume and RDW-SD were observed as pregnancy advanced. None of the subjects had helminthic infestation. Anaemia, iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) were present in 44.0%, 21.5% and 10.4% of the pregnant women, respectively. These prevalence rates increased as pregnancy advanced to term (15.2%, 51.2%, 56.0% for anaemia; 13.8%, 22.9%, 26.1% for ID and 0%, 12.0%, 17.4% for IDA, respectively for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters). Conclusions: In spite of iron supplementation in pregnancy, a high percentage of the pregnant women are iron deficient and/or anaemic and this remains a public health problem.

Value of established solid-organ transplant tolerance from experience of host im-munomodulation with helminth infection / 中国免疫学杂志

Organ transplantation is the effective method to replace the function of the patient failed organ. But it is very disappoint that recipients have to receive the long-term immunosuppression regimens for prevention of allograft rejection. To induce allograft immune tolerance without immunosuppressant is in great demand. Although several tolerance strategies for organ transplant have been proposed, even some has already been tested in the 1st clinical trial, these strategies haven ' t approached to ideal efficacy. Helminths are remarkably successful parasites to achieve immunological tolerance to host immune response. It is now well established that the parasites′ success is the result of active immunomodulation of their hosts ' immune response. We suggest that injecting B cells from donor spleen and helminth soluble antigens, recipient might become tolerance to donor organ, but not tolerated to other antigens. Research based on this approach has great translated value for future clinic practice.

Avaliação das condições habitacionais e de saúde da comunidade quilombola Boqueirão, Bahia, Brasil / Evaluation of housing and health conditions of Boqueirão afro descendant community, state of Bahia, Brazil

A comunidade quilombola Boqueirão situada no município de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brasil é formada por cerca de 500 indivíduos, e possui um único açude, com livre acesso de animais, utilizado para lavagem de roupa e coleta de água para utilização doméstica. O abastecimento de água é precário, assim como não há saneamento básico, visto que não existe água encanada e esgotamento sanitário, o que resulta no despejo de dejetos no açude e solos, comprometendo a qualidade da água consumida. Esses fatores associados ao acesso restrito da população aos serviços de saúde tornam esses indivíduos vulneráveis a doenças como infecções parasitárias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o levantamento das condições de habitação e saúde dos moradores do quilombo Boqueirão. A amostra foi composta por 467 indivíduos, que responderam a um questionário baseado em suas condições de moradia e saúde. Destes, 404 foram submetidos ao exame parasitológico de fezes para o diagnóstico de infecções parasitárias. A população é formada predominantemente por jovens ou adultos, lavradores, e a maioria das casas não possui água encanada e sanitário. A maioria da população utiliza exclusivamente o Sistema Único de Saúde, sendo a hipertensão arterial a doença pré-existente mais relatada. Em relação às parasitoses intestinais, as protozooses foram mais prevalentes que as helmintíases. A precariedade das moradias, do abastecimento de água e das condições de saneamento básico reflete o perfil sócioeconômico da população e a deficiência nas políticas públicas voltadas para a comunidade, justificando os dados encontrados referentes à prevalência de doenças crônicas e parasitárias.

The Boqueirão is an afro descendant community located in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil formed by about 500 individuals. This community has an only dam, where animals have free access, used frequently for washing clothes and water collection for domestic use. The water supply is precarious, as well as the basic sanitation, since it does not exist canalized water and sanitary exhaustion. It results in the ousting of dejections in the dam and ground, compromising the quality of the consumed water. These factors associated to limited access of the population health services become these individuals vulnerable to parasitic infections. The aim of this work is register the habitation and health conditions of the Boqueirão community. The sample was composed by 467 individuals that answered a questionnaire about their housing and health conditions. Of these, 404 had been submitted to fecal exam for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. The population is formed predominantly by young or adult, agricultural worker, and most of houses have not canalized water and bathroom. Most of population uses only the public system of health and the high blood pressure was the most reported preexisting disease. In relation to the intestinal parasitisms, the protozoan infections were more prevalent than helminthic infections. The precarious conditions of habitation, water supply and basic sanitation reflect the social and economic population profiles and the inefficiency of health public politics for the community that explains the data found regarding the prevalence of chronic and parasitic diseases.

Sistemas produtivos de caprinocultura leiteira no semiárido nordestino: controle integrado das parasitoses gastrointestinais visando contornar a resistência anti-helmíntica / Dairy goat production in the Brazilian semiarid region: integrated gastrointestinal nematodes control to overcome anti-helminthic resistance

Goats are very important for the economy of the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil; however, the high frequency of parasitism by gastrintestinal nematodes (GIN) and the increase of anthelmintic resistance are threatening goat industry in the region. In this paper we review the control strategies for GIN in goats including: 1) the differences between goats and sheep to GIN infections; 2) important epidemiological aspects to consider in the control; and 3) technologies to be used for integrated control of GIN and anti-helmintic resistance.

A caprinocultura é muito importante para a economia do semiárido nordestino; no entanto a alta frequência das parasitoses gastrintestinais e o aumento da resistência parasitária ameaçam gravemente essa atividade. Nesta revisão são discutidos vários aspectos importantes para o controle das parasitoses gastrintestinais de caprinos, incluindo: 1) as diferenças entre caprinos e ovinos; 2) aspectos epidemiológicos importantes a serem levados em consideração para o controle; e 3) tecnologias a serem utilizadas para realizar o controle das parasitoses gastrintestinais em forma integrada e diminuir a frequência de resistência anti-helmíntica.

Evaluación de la eficacia de drogas antihelmínticas para el control de Trichuris trichiura y otras helmintiasis en el estado Aragua, Venezuela / Evaluation of the efficacy of antihelmintic drugs for the control of Trichuris trichiura and other helminthic diseases in the state of Aragua, Venezuela

Un ensayo clínico de cuatro brazos fue llevado a cabo en 14 comunidades del estado Aragua para evaluar cuatro esquemas de tratamientos antihelmínticos para geohelmintos: Mebendazol y albendazol como monoterapias y cada una de estas drogas en combinación con ivermectina como terapias combinadas. Los tratamientos fueron administrados posteriormente a un examen coproparsitoscópico inicial, con reevaluaciones a los 7 y 21 días. Quedó en evidencia que las tasas de curación observadas a los 7 días posteriores al tratamiento, a favor de los esquemas combinados, particularmente la combinación albendazol + ivermectina (χ2 = 10,85; P < 0,0009), pero no se reflejaron a los 21 días después de la administración de los tratamientos y ningún esquema demostró una eficacia superior. Trichuris trichiura aún responde satisfactoriamente a los tratamientos convencionales. A pesar de la similitud en la eficacia de las monoterapias y terapias combinadas, el porcentaje de pacientes curados con T. trichiura solo o con infecciones mixtas fue elevada (> 93%). Las uncinarias fueron curadas en 100% (cero huevos en heces), seguido de A. lumbricoides (98,2%) y las infecciones mixtas de T. trichiura + A. lumbricoides + uncinarias (100%). La reducción porcentual de huevos por gramo de heces fue de 100% para las uncinarias, 89,3% para A. lumbricoides y 81,7% para T. trichiura. Las tasas de fracasos fueron bajas para los cuatro esquemas terapéuticos: mebendazol (5,14%), albendazol (6,20%), albendazol + ivermectina (2,02%) y mebendazol + ivermectina (2,22%). El grupo de edad de 0 a 9 años registró el mayor número de fracasos terapéuticos (n = 13). Quizás convendría emplear esquemas combinados en casos de fracasos terapéuticos. Pero, surge la duda si se está evidenciando la posibilidad de resistencia a estos medicamentos, dado que la mayoría de los fracasos terapéuticos se observaron en pacientes con bajas cargas parasitarias que bien podrían revertirse en el tiempo.

A four-arm clinical trial was carried out in 14 communities in the State of Aragua to evaluate four antihelminthics treatments, as monotherapy and combined treatments for soil-transmitted helminthiasis: Mebendazole, albendazole and each of these drugs in combination with ivermectin. Treatments were given after an initial stool specimens were obtained for examination, with two sequential stool reevaluations on days 7 and 21. Cure rates (zero eggs in stools) at day 7 after treatments were favourable for combined treatments, specially albendazole + ivermectin (χ2 = 10.85; P < 0.0009), which was not reflected by day 21 since no treatment showed any superior efficacy. Trichuris trichiura still responds satisfactorily to conventional treatments offered by the national Programme for the Fight against Anclyostomiasis and other Intestinal Parasites. Notwithstanding the similarities of monotherapy and combined treatments efficacy, the percentage of patients cured with T. trichiura solely or with mixed infections was high (> 93%). Hookworm infections were cured a 100% (zero eggs found in feces), followed by A. lumbricoides (98.2%) and mixed infections by T. trichiura + A. lumbricoides + hookworms (100%). However, the mean egg reduction percent was also a 100% for hookworms, 89.3% for A. lumbricoides and 81.7% for T. trichiura. The rates of treatment failure were limited, albendazole 6.20%, mebendazole 5.14%, for the combination of albendazole + ivermectin 2.02% and for mebendazole + ivermectine 2.22%. The majority of treatment failures were seen in the 0-9 age group. It is perhaps convenient to use combined schemes in cases of treatment failure. But, there is doubt as to whether there is the possibility of resistance to these drugs given that the majority of treatment failures observed in patients with low intensity infections which might be subdued in time.

Controle das parasitoses gastrintestinais em ovinos e caprinos na região semiárida do nordeste do Brasil / Gastro-intestinal nematodes control in goats and sheep in the semiarid region northeastern Brazil

Neste artigo são revisados alguns conceitos importantes a serem considerados para o controle de parasitas gastrintestinais em caprinos e ovinos. Descrevem-se as características epidemiológicas desta parasitose no semiárido e o aparecimento de resistência aos anti-helmínticos na região.São propostas alternativas para o controle da doença levando em consideração, principalmente, a adoção de técnicas de controle integrado de parasitas com uma mudança nos sistemas de tratamento preventivo para sistemas que permitam a sobrevivência de parasitas susceptíveis na refugia. São discutidas as diferenças entre caprinos e ovinos, considerando que os caprinos são mais susceptíveis e que para maioria das drogas devem ser tratados com doses maiores.

This paper reviews some important concepts to be considered for the control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites of sheep and goats, including the epidemiology of this parasitic disease in the Brazilian semiarid, and the occurrence of anti-helminthic resistance in the region. Considering the widespread use of preventive treatments during the dry season, new alternatives for the control of gastrointestinal parasites are recommended, taking into account the parasite integrated control system and the use of methods to allow the presence of susceptible parasites in the refugia. Differences between sheep and goats are discussed, taking into account the higher susceptibility of goats and the necessity to use larger doses in goats than in sheep for most anti-helminthics.

Estrongiloidíase disseminada: diagnóstico e tratamento: [revisão] / Disseminated strongyloidiasis: diagnosis and treatment: [review]

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A estrongiloidíase disseminada é uma entidade clínica relacionada a estados de imunossupressão como os que ocorrem na síndrome da imunodeficiência aguda (SIDA), nas neoplasias hematológicas e nos tratamentos imunossupressores. Sua ocorrência e gravidade são mais freqüentes em pacientes usando elevadas doses de corticosteróides. A estrongiloidíase disseminada se apresenta habitualmente sob a forma de sepse grave. Essa apresentação clínica inespecífica representa grandes desafios relacionados ao diagnóstico e tratamento, resultando em elevada taxa de mortalidade. O diagnóstico depende de elevada suspeição clínica e da identificação da larva em amostras de fluidos ou tecidos. O envolvimento cutâneo é raro, entretanto por ser característico pode incrementar a possibilidade da hipótese diagnóstica. O objetivo deste estudo foi rever na literatura os aspectos clínicos da estrongiloidíase disseminada, destacando os métodos de diagnóstico e tratamento e ressaltar a importância da suspeição clínica para a profilaxia e tratamento adequados. CONTEÚDO: Foi realizada uma busca sistemática nos últimos 30 anos através da PubMed utilizando os termos disseminated strongyloidiasis, strongyloides and hyperinfection e ivermectin. CONCLUSÕES: Recentes avanços ocorreram na área terapêutica e dentre eles destaca-se o uso da ivermectina. O seu surgimento mudou significativamente o tratamento para estrongiloidíase, no entanto a administração por via oral ou enteral desse fármaco representou importante limitação para sua utilização em pacientes com íleo ou estado de hipoperfusão tecidual. Relatos de resultados positivos com o uso de ivermectina parenteral levantaram a possibilidade de essa modalidade terapêutica ser mais eficaz nas formas graves. No entanto questões relativas à posologia e segurança ainda precisam ser elucidadas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Disseminated strongyloidiasis is a clinical form of presentation associated with states of severe immunosuppression, as in AIDS, hematological malignancies and in treatment for immunosuppression (especially with high doses of corticosteroids). It usually mimics severe sepsis and still brings a significant challenge related to the diagnosis and treatment. Therefore exceedingly high mortality rates remain unchanged in the past decades. Initially, the diagnosis depends on the clinical suspicion and on the identification of the larva in an organic fluids or tissues. The cutaneous involvement, albeit rare, is typical and can provide an important clue for the diagnostic hypothesis. The emergence of ivermectin for oral use changed significantly the treatment for strongyloidiasis; however, there are still shortcomings for the utilization in critically ill patients. Shock, ileus and hypoperfusion states are associated with difficulties in the absorption that result in erratic systemic levels. Reports of good results with parenteral administration of ivermectin raised the prospect that this therapeutic modality be more effective. However, questions about dosage and safety remain unanswered. The aim of the present article is to review the medical literature on the clinical aspects of disseminated strongyloidiasis. CONTENTS: A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching the PubMed database within the last 30 years. Search terms were: disseminated strongyloidiasis, strongyloides and hyperinfection e ivermectin. CONCLUSIONS: The article highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects emphasizing the importance of the clinical suspicion for the institution of appropriated therapy.

Food-Borne Parasitic Diseases

It is obvious that the general status of parasitic infections in Korea has shown a marked decrease, particularly in soil-transmitted helminthic infections. However, food-borne parasitic infections are still regarded as the major parasitic diseases of medical importance in Korea. Generally, the parasitic infections may occur from the following sources: by contaminated soil, water, vegetable and fruits, and other animals as food containing the parasites at their immature infective stage, in association with a domestic or wild animal harboring the parasite, and an ectoparasite that transmits the parasite by blood sucking. Human food-borne parasitic infections result from the consumption of undercooked or raw fish, shellfish, snails, vertebrates, and water plants as a food. These infections are significantly related to human behavioral patterns based on socioeconomic and cultural conditions and are linked with the biological and physical environments. Most of food-borne parasitic infections are considered as all parasitic zoonoses to man and animals. To understand the current status of food-borne parasitic infections in Korea, the author presents the list of overall food-borne parasitic infections caused by protozoan infection (toxoplasmosis), trematode infections (clonorchiasis, metagonimiasis, and some intestinal trematodiases), nematode infections (anisakiasis and trichinosis), and others with a briefly reviewed.

Eficácia do fembendazole no controle de nematódeos de pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1987) / The efficiency of fembendazole in the control of nematodes in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1987)

O presente trabalho foi realizado no Centro de Pesquisa e Treinamento em Aquicultura (CEPTA/1BAMA), município de Pirassununga, SP. Foram utilizados 60 pacus, dos viveiros da Estação de Piscicultura do CEPTA, com peso médio de 600g. Foi realizado um teste visando avaliar o efeito do Femben-dazote (adicionado no alimento em diferentes dosagens), sobre os nematódeos presentes no tubo intestinal do pacu, utilizando três tratamentos: Tl - grupo testemunha (ração sem Fembendazole), T2 - 20mg de Fembendazole/kg de ração e T3 - 40mg de Fembendazo-le/kg de ração. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado. A unidade experimental foi o peixe. Não houve diferença significativa (P 0,05) entre os tratamentos com anti-helmintico Fembendazole nas dosagens de 20mg/kg e 40/ng/kg de ração e o grupo testemunha.

This study was done at lhe Agricultural Centre for Training and Research (CEPTA/IBAMA) m the municipality of Pirassununga, São Paulo. Sixty pacus, wilh an average weight of 600g were obtained from the nurseries of the fish statíon at CEPTA. An experiment to determine the ejfect of fenbendazole (added to the ration in varíous doses) on nematodes in the alimentary canal ofthe pacu was realized using three treatments. Tl - contrai group (ration without fenbendazole, T2 - 20mg fenbendazole/kg ration, and T3 - 40mgfenbendazole/kg ration. The experimental ouüine was totally random. The fish was the experimental unit. There was no significam dijference (P 0.05) befween the treatments wilh the anti-helminthic fenbendazole added to the ration in doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg and the contrai group.

Tissue parasitic diseases in Korea

Parasitic disease is still important subject in the field of infectious diseases in Korea considering it's number and morbidity. Recently there was conspicuous reduction of parasitic disease in terms of soil-transmitted nematodiasis, but parasitism affecting organs other than intestinal tract is still a considerable problem. This survey covers the parasitic diseases cross-sectioned at a pathology laboratory of a referral hospital, trying to elucidate the significance of its relative frequency and also to describe some histopathological changes made by different parasites. Entire pathological materials of parasitic diseases, that were referred, examined and confirmed at the Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital from 1968 to 1987, were used for the study. There was a total of 594 cases of tissue parasitic diseases. This number accounted for 0.33 per cent of total accessions of surgical pathology. There occurred average 30 cases of tissue parasitic disease each year at this Hospital. Protozoal diseases were constituted of 15 cases of amebiasis, 7 cases of leishmaniasis (imported) and 5 cases of Pneumocystis carinii infections. Among helminthic infections cysticercosis was the most common (425 cases), and was followed by paragonimiasis (35 cases), sparganosis (31 cases), clonorchiasis (32 cases) and ascariasis (16 cases). In addition there were 4 cases of anisakiasis, 2 cases of fascioliasis, 2 cases of echinococcosis (imported) and a case of strongyloidiasis and a case of metagonimiasis respectively. It is emphasized that imported parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis and hydatid disease become steadily found nowadays. Schistosomiasis is another possible imported disease, but not found in this series. And certain cestodiasis particularly cysticercosis and sparganosis should be the subjects of epidemiologic re-evaluation in view of steady occurrence of their morbidity.