A comparative
analysis of the various intestinal
parasites detected among
children attending
schools was carried out in a rural and urban
location in and around Chennai. A total of 324 stool samples were examined by routine
microscopy using
normal saline and Lugol's
iodine preparation as well as by saturated
sodium chloride flotation technique. All suspicious samples were subjected to
zinc sulphate concentration
technique as well as modified Ziehl Neelson
stain and Trichrome
stains to identify the other uncommon intestinal
parasites. Out of 125 specimens tested from the rural
location, the overall
prevalence of intestinal
parasites was 91%.
Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common helminthic
parasite detected (52.8%) followed by
Trichuris trichura (45.6%),
Ancylostoma duodenale (37.6%),
Strongyloides stercoralis (3.2%) and
Hymenolepis nana (1.6%).
Giardia lamblia was the most common protozoan
parasite detected (16%), followed by
Entamoeba histolytica (4%). In contrast under urban settings, out of the 199 stool specimens tested the positivity rate was 33%.
Giardia was the most common
parasite detected (22.6%) followed by
Entamoeba histolytica (10.6%). All other intestinal
parasites such as T. trichura (2.01%), H. nana (1.01%) and A. lumbricoides (0.50%) were found to have much lower
prevalence in comparison to the
rural area tested.
Enterobius vermicularis (0.50%) was also detected.
Ancylostoma duodenale and
Strongyloides stercoralis were not encountered at all in the urban setting studied.