ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Strongyloides stercoralis is widespread; however, there is limited information on its prevalence owing to laboratory underestimation and low clinical manifestations. The Baermann method and agar culture stand out among the parasitological techniques. Strongyloides stercoralis is present in Bolivia, but its prevalence in children remains unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the applicability of simple parasitological techniques to increase the detection of this parasite in children living in the tropics. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tropical village in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Participants were 304 children aged 5 - 12 years who provided stool samples for different parasitological analyses (direct examination, Ritchie, Baermann, and Dancescu techniques), and their parents provided informed consent. RESULTS: Up to 64.8% of pathogenic parasites were detected using the modified Ritchie method. The Baermann technique identified 17.8% of Strongyloides stercoralis cases, and a high sensitivity with respect to the Baermann technique was only for the Dancescu technique (75.9%) that is also specific for Strongyloides stercoralis, followed by 66.7% for the modified Ritchie technique, which is used in second-line care. DISCUSSION: The Baermann technique is the best parasitological option for improving Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosis in the first-line care of the Primary Health Care System. A particular cycle of reinfection, combined with the environment and some other risk factors are related with persistence. Control is difficult without a proper diagnosis, and the Baermann technique is an approach to the solution. We conclude that with a high suspicion of the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis, the use of the Baermann technique is strongly recommended as support for direct examination in primary health care systems especially in tropical areas.
Subject(s)
Strongyloides stercoralis , Strongyloidiasis , Child , Animals , Humans , Strongyloidiasis/diagnosis , Bolivia/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Feces/parasitology , Delivery of Health CareABSTRACT
Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de factores de riesgo asociados al sindrome metabólico en personal militar de la Fuerza Aérea Boliviana. Metodos: se realizó un estudió observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, en personal militar activo de la II Brigada Aérea Boliviana, con una muestra de 204 personas; a los cuales se aplicó una encuesta sobre factores de riesgo metabólico, de manera individual, seguidas de un examen físico-antropométrico y la toma de una muestra sanguínea para la valoración del perfil lipídico y perfil glicemico; en base a la metodología Pasos (STEP´s) de la OPS/OMS, adecuados para Bolivia. Resultados: en relación a los factores de riesgo del síndrome metabólico se encontró que, el sobrepeso en sus diferentes grados es uno de los factores que predominan (50%) así como la obesidad (22%); y la cintura de riesgo elevado (57%) y muy elevado (19%); asociado al perfil glicémico alterado en un 4%, y el perfil lipidico alterado en cerca del 40% del personal (trigicéridos=43%; HDL=18%; LDL=34% y colesterol total=40%). Conclusiones: la salud y estado nutricional del personal militar de la Fuerza Aerea esta siendo afectada por varios aspectos como la actividad física insuficiente, hábitos alimentarios inadecuados.
Objective: the objective was to determine the prevalence of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods: a population of 204 patients military assets, to which an individual survey was applied and blood sample was taken where lipid profile, glycemic profile, taking blood pressure was assessed was studied and evaluation of nutritional status. Results: several variables were analyzed in relation to risk factors of metabolic syndrome, and found that being overweight at different degrees is one of the factors that stand out, with high values of lipid profile. Conclusions: the health and nutritional status of military personnel of the Air Force is being affected by several aspects such as physical activity, diet and but.
