Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school children in the central region of Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: Survey the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in 14 primary schools of Central Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross sectional survey of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in 14 primary schools of Central Thailand that included Ang Thong, Ayudthaya, and Suphanburi provinces was conducted One thousand and thirty seven children with age ranging from 3-12 years (540 males and 497 females) were examined for intestinal parasites by the formalin-ether concentration technique. RESULT: The overall prevalence was 4.24%. The pathogenic parasites found were Giardia lamblia (1.25%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.19%), Trichuris trichiura and Hookworm (0.19% each), respectively. The common non-pathogenic protozoa found were Entamoeba coli (1.64%) and Endolimax nana (0.48%). The infection rate of Blastocystis hominis was 0.19%. CONCLUSION: Interestingly, the area studied which is low and flat and contains rice and water chestnut fields and small rivers, did not demonstrate Fasciolopsis buski as highly found in the past five decades. However, Parasittic infections are still public health problems in Thailand Close monitoring and control of parasitic infections is needed

Pneumocystis jiroveci in HIV/AIDS patients: detection by FTA filter paper together with PCR in noninvasive induced sputum specimens.

OBJECTIVES: To detect P. jiroveci (previously named P. carinii) by PCR using FTA filter paper to extract the DNA, from noninvasive induced sputum samples of HIV/AIDS patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty two HIV/AIDS patients suspected of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital were recruited. Both cytological method and PCR with FTA filter paper technique were performed to detect P jiroveci from each specimen. RESULTS: The detectability rate of P. jiroveci infection was 21%. The PCR with FTA filter paper method was 4 folds much more sensitive than Giemsa staining technique. P. jiroveci was detected in 18% of the HIV/AIDS patients in spite of receiving standard PJP prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Detection of P. jiroveci by using FTA filter paper together with PCR in induced sputum samples could detect more cases of P. jiroveci infection than by using cytological method. DNA extraction using the FTA filter paper was more rapid and convenient than other extraction methods. The causes of failure of PJP prophylaxis should be evaluated.

Prevalence of parasitism among students of the Karen hill-tribe in Mae Chame district, Chiang Mai province, Thailand.

Infection caused by intestinal parasites is still a common health problem in a poor-hygiene population especially for children in developing countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 781 Karen students (age: 3 to 19, males: 325, females: 456) to determine the current status of intestinal parasitic infections in a mountainous area in the North of Thailand. The study was drawn from three schools in the Doi Inthanon region, in Mae Chame district of Chiang Mai province, from December 2002 to June 2003. The techniques used for the diagnosis were: stool concentration by using the 'formalin-ether' technique and perianal region examination by using the 'Scotch-tape' technique. The average rate of intestinal parasites for the group tested using the stool concentration technique was 42.06% (male: 46.87%, females: 38.82%); and 22.66% (males: 28.92%, females: 18.20%) when using the Scotch-tape technique.Among helminth-infected individuals, enterobiasis was found at the highest prevalence (15.49%). Other common infections were ascariasis (9.78%), trichuriasis (5.90%) and hookworm infection (2.20%). Strongyloildiasis was found only in 0.92%. For protozoa infection, the major cause is the non-pathogenic species "Entamoeba coli" (27.68%). The other non-pathogenic protozoa (Endolimax nana, Chilomastix meslini and Iodamoeba butschlii) had a low prevalence from ranged 0.18%-4.79%. The prevalence of pathogenic Giardia lamblia infection was 2.21%. Entamoeba histolytica infection was found in only one case. Based on the two techniques used, the results from the Scotch-tape provided a higher sensitivity for the detection of Taenia spp. and Enterobius vermicularis eggs. Drug treatment was given to all the infected students. School-based health education should be implemented in order to prevent and control the infections.

Intestinal parasitic infestations among children in an orphanage in Pathum Thani province.

Infection caused by intestinal parasites is still a common health problem especially in children from developing countries. Orphans are a group of underprivileged population in society. To evaluate the intestinal parasitic infections in children in an orphanage in Pathum Thani province, Thailand, stool samples were collected during a cross-sectional study in April 2001. Examination for intestinal parasites were performed by using simple smear, formalin-ether concentration, Boeck and Drbohlav's Locke-Egg-Serum (LES) medium culture and special staining (modified acid-fast and modified trichrome) techniques. A total of 106 pre-school orphans (60 males and 46 females), aged 10.0-82.0 months, were recruited for the study. There were 86 individuals (81.1%), 45 males and 41 females, infected with at least one parasite. Interestingly, most of the parasites identified were protozoa. Blastocystis hominis was found at the highest prevalence (45.2%). The infections caused by Giardia lamblia was 37.7 per cent and Entamoeba histolytica was 3.7 per cent. Other non-pathogenic protozoa found were Trichomonas hominis (39.6%), Entamoeba coli (18.8%), and Endolimax nana (3.7%). The only one case of helminth parasite detected was Strongyloides stercoralis (0.9%). The sensitivity for detection of B. hominis and T. hominis was increased by the LES culture technique. No history of diarrhea symptoms were recorded among these orphans. However, during the investigation, stools of all infected cases were noted for six characteristics including formed, soft, loose, mucous, loose-watery and watery. The present study emphasized the problems of protozoan infections among these orphans. Health educations as well as routine surveillance is necessary in order to control the infections.