The distribution of ascaris lumbricoides infection in humans from a rural community in Venezuela

ABSTRACT

A total of 337 persons (86,8 percent) were examined by faecal egg count and worm burden by counting expelled parasites following anthelmintic treatment (oxantel pyrantel pamoate) in order to study the prevalence and distribution of ascaris lumbricoides in the human population of a rural locality from Venezuela. The number of positive diagnosis of A. lumbricoides infection by worm collection was higher than by eggs determination and the degree of infection determined by egg counts resulted well associated with the worm burden (p<0,001) and so it may used with some confidence. The prevalence and intensity of infection were similar in both sexes. In relation to the age, the highest values for prevalence (p<0,05), relative risk (p<0,01) and intensity of infection (p<0,02) were observed in the 5 to 9 year old children. Within the population, few individual (20,19 percent) harboured more than 6 roundworms and many of the hosts (38,3 percent) had only a few (1 to 5 worns) or none worm (41,53 percent)