ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasites are considered a growing public health problem, being protozoa the main cause of intestinal disease. The objective of our study is to compare the detection of intestinal protozoa by microscopy versus real-time PCR, as well as to determine the most prevalent protozoa in our environment in the paediatric population. METHOD: An observational longitudinal study was carried out, both by microscopy and real time-PCR in stool samples from children (0- 15 years) received from April 2019 to March 2021.Children were classified in two groups according if they had or not had clinical parasitosis. Microscopic examination was performed in all samples using the Ritchie concentration technique with the commercial Mini PARASEP system (Movaco-Grifols®). The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. was evaluated with the modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain. The real-time PCR was performed to all samples using the Allplex ™ gastrointestinal parasite panel 4 (Seegene®). RESULTS: During the study period, 500 samples were received, being positive 31 (6.2%) by microscopy and 256 (51.2 %) by PCR. By microscopy, Blastocystis hominis was the most frequently observed (4.8%), followed by Giardia lamblia (1.6%), Dientamoeba fragilis (0.2%) and Cryptosporidium species (0.2%). Regarding the identification by PCR, D. fragilis (35.2%) was mainly identified, followed by B. hominis (28.1%), G. lamblia (7%) and Cryptosporidium sp. (0.8%) without finding clear differences in aetiology according to age. In the case of B. hominis and D. fragilis, there were not differences in the detection of these protozoa between the control group and children with clinical parasitosis (p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time PCR increases the detection of intestinal protozoa, being underdiagnosed by microscopy, especially D. fragilis, in which PCR is considered the most appropriate method for its detection.
Subject(s)
Cryptosporidiosis , Cryptosporidium , Entamoeba histolytica , Giardia lamblia , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic , Child , Cryptosporidiosis/diagnosis , Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , Cryptosporidium/genetics , Entamoeba histolytica/genetics , Feces/parasitology , Giardia lamblia/genetics , Humans , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Longitudinal Studies , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methodsABSTRACT
RESUMEN Introducción: Las parasitosis intestinales constituyen un importante problema de salud pública por sus altas tasas de prevalencia y amplia distribución mundial, sobre todo en las regiones tropicales y subtropicales, siendo la población infantil la mayormente afectada. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de enteroparásitos en habitantes de la comunidad Ache de Alto Paraná. Metodología: En Octubre de 2013 se realizó un estudio transversal con 132niños menores de 15 años de ambos sexos. De cada uno se obtuvo una muestra fecal la cual fue analizada mediante la técnica de examen directo, métodos de concentración de Kato y formol-éter, cultivo en placa de agar y coloración de Kinyoun. Resultados: La prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal fue de 85% (112/132). Las prevalencias por grupos de edad fueron similares (χ2 = 0,5). Ambos sexos fueron afectados por igual (p >0.05). Se diagnosticaron 7 especies de parásitos y/o comensales. Los protozoarios fueron más prevalentes que los helmintos. Blastocystis hominis (33%), Entamoeba coli (21%) y Giardia lamblia (46%).Cabe destacar la presencia de 7 casos de Cryptosporidium parvum (6%). Entre los helmintos Ascaris lumbricoides (43%), Trichuris trichiura (31%) y Strongyloides stercoralis (26%) resultaron los más prevalentes. Conclusión: Se determinó una elevada prevalencia (85%) de parásitos intestinales en habitantes de la comunidad Ache de Naranjal, Alto Paraná sin predilección por el sexo o la edad y con predominio de los protozoarios, en particular de Giardia lamblia.
ABSTRACT Introduction: Intestinal parasites are a major public health problem because of its high prevalence and worldwide distribution, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, where the child population the most affected. Aim: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in inhabitants of the Ache community of Alto Parana. Methodology: In October 2013, a cross-sectional study 132 niños under 15 years of both sexes was made. Each a stool sample which was analyzed by direct examination technique, concentration methods Kato and formol-ether, agar plate culture and coloring was obtained Kinyoun. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 85% (112/132). The prevalence by age group were similar (X2= 0.5). Both sexes were equally affected (p> 0.05). 7 species of parasites and / or commensals were diagnosed. Protozoa were more prevalent than helminths. Blastocystis hominis (33%), Entamoeba coli (21%) and Giardia lamblia (46%). Note the presence of 7 cases of Cryptosporidium parvum (6%). Among the helminths Ascaris lumbricoides (43%), whipworm (31%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (26%) were the most prevalent. Conclusion: a high prevalence (85%) of intestinal parasites in inhabitants of the Ache community of Naranjal, Alto Parana no predilection for sex or age and prevalence of protozoans, particularly with Giardia lamblia was determined.
ABSTRACT
El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la frecuencia de parasitosis intestinales en el área de influencia del Ambulatorio Urbano Tipo II de Cerro Gordo, Barquisimeto, Estado Lara, realizando un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se evaluaron 106 niños entre 1 y 12 años de edad, realizando a cada uno examen de heces directo y concentrado con la técnica de Ritchie, demostrándo se parasitosis intestinal en 42,5%, predominando en escolares (48,9%), sin diferencias según el género. El agente más frecuente fue B. hominis (42,2%), seguido de G. lamblia (37,8%), Complejo Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (13,3%), H. nana (11,1%) y A. lumbricoides (4,4%). Se encontró parasitado 41,7% de niños con estado nutricional normal y 35,7% de malnutridos. La presencia de parasitos intestinales mostró relación con la disposición inadecuada de basura (p=0.048). El lavado inadecuado de las manos se relacionó con prurito anal (p=0.008). La calidad inadecuada del agua se relacionó con Blastocistosis (p= 0,025) y comensales (p= 0,035). No hubo relación entre parasitosis intestinales y síntomas gastrointestinales, estrato social, disposición de excretas, presencia de vectores en el hogar, lavado y conservación de alimentos, frecuencia de recolección de basura, lavado de manos, antecedente de tratamiento antiparasitario y familiar parasitado
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine intestinal parasitism in children treated at the Cerro Gordo Type II Urban Outpatient Clinic in Barquisimeto, Lara. Feces samples were collected from 106 children (1-12 years old) and analyzed using both direct and Ritchie´s technique analyses, demonstrating intestinal parasitism in 42.5% of the children, predominantly of school age (48.9%), but independent of gender. The most frequent agent was Blastocystis hominis (42.2%), followed by Giardia lamblia (37.8%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar Complex (13.3%), Hymenolepis nana (11.1%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (4.4%). For children with a normal nutritional condition, 41.7% had parasites, while this value was 35.7% for nutritionally undernourished children. The presence of intestinal parasites showed relations to the communitys trash collection management program status (p=0.048). Poor hand washing habits were significantly associated with anal pruritus (p=0.008). Inadequate water quality was related to blastocystosis (p= 0.025) and comensals (p= 0.035). The presence of parasites was not associated with specific gastrointestinal symptoms, socioeconomic status, disposition of excreta, presence of vectors in the home, food washing and storage, frequency of garbage collection, washing of hands, family parasitism history and anti-parasite treatment antecedents