Environmental risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in an island from Western Venezuela

Few investigations have been conducted on risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in communities from developing countries. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cryptosporidiosis in San Carlos island, Venezuela. A sample of 515 subjects (mean age ± SD: 21.4 ± 17.8 years) was surveyed. Single fecal specimens were collected and modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of formalin-ether concentrate stools were examined for identification of the parasite. Infections with Cryptosporidium (67 of 515, 13 percent) were common. Prevalence of the parasite varied among sectors of the community; 34 of 67(50.7 percent) cases of cryptosporidiosis clustered in two sectors with extreme poverty. Variables strongly associated with a higher risk for the infection (p < 0.01) were residing in these sectors versus the remainder, living in a hut or small residence versus a brick or larger house, using an area of backyard rather than a toilet or latrine for defecation, and having contact with soil contaminated with human feces. Crowding was also a risk (p < 0.05). Contact with human feces contaminated-soil may be an important mode of transmission and poverty a predisposing factor for the infection.

Prevalencia de entamoeba histolytica y otros parasitos intestinales en una comunidad del Distrito Miranda, Estado Zulia / Prevalence of entamoeba histolytica and other intestinal parasites in a community from Miranda Country, Zulia State

Se realizó un estudio parasitológico de Entamoeba histolytica y otros parásitos intestinales en 767 individuos de una comunidad de bajas condiciones socioeconómicas del Distrito Miranda, Estado Zulia. Se examinó un espécimen fecal por persona mediante frotis fecales teñidos según la técnica de la hematoxilina férrica-ácido fosfotúngstico de Tompkins y Miller y concentración de acuerdo al método del formol-éter de Ritchie