A prevalence survey of enteral parasites in preschool children in the Mangochi District of Malawi

Ude

et al. 2021

IJTDH

Background: Globally, many people suffer from parasitic infections of the intestines with up to 24% of the world population are affected. These infections are particularly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries and exist mainly among economically and socially disadvantaged populations. This study sought to establish the current prevalence of STHs among preschool children in rural areas of Enugu State. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at Obinofia Ndi-Uno and Obe, rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and Laboratory kits for stool analysis were used. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics version 22. Results: A total of 589 preschool children (294 from Obinofia Ndi-Uno and 295 from Obe) were studied. Ova of helminths were seen in the stool of 47 preschool children giving a prevalence of 8% with ascariasis being the predominant infection. Discussion: The prevalence of worm infection in this study was low compared to some studies in Nigeria, Africa, and other parts of the world.

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 73%

Prevalence of Helminthiasis and Worm Load among Pre-school Children in Rural Areas of Enugu State

Ude

et al. 2021

IJTDH

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

“…In total, G. duodenalis infection status was identified in 107 study participants when targeting the bg locus. Although mixed-assemblage (A and B) G. duodenalis infections often appear to comprise approximately one-third of all infections 20 , 31 , 57 – 59 as observed here (33% of all identified infections), previous studies have found that the prevalence of single-assemblage (A or B) infections are typically more weighted toward either G. duodenalis assemblage A or assemblage B. 5 , 15 – 25 Here, however, the prevalence of single infections with each assemblage was similar (35% and 32%, respectively).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 28 As such, human–water contact with the lake’s shoreline is commonplace, resulting in a high prevalence of waterborne and zoonotic diseases in this area. 29 – 32 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only limited data on the prevalence of human giardiasis in Mangochi district have been reported. 31 , 33 Furthermore, no data on the prevalence of human-infecting G. duodenalis assemblages A and B in this area are currently available. We therefore evaluated the prevalence of human giardiasis infection in school-age children attending four primary schools situated in close proximity to Lake Malawi’s southern shoreline using both point-of-contact rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) as well as a diagnostic 18S real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Molecular Epidemiology and Assemblage Typing of Giardia duodenalis in School-Age Children Situated along the Southern Shoreline of Lake Malawi, Malawi

Archer,

Cunningham,

Juhàsz

et al. 2023

Almost all human giardiasis infections are caused by Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B. Differentiation between human infections with these assemblages, as well as between single-assemblage (A or B) and mixed-assemblage (A and B) infections, is therefore needed to better understand the pathological impact of infection with either, or both, assemblages. We assessed the prevalence of G. duodenalis assemblages A and B using 305 fecal samples provided by school-age children situated along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi. Concurrently, intestinal pathology data were also collected to test for association(s) between assemblage infection status and intestinal health. Prevalence of G. duodenalis infection was 39.3% by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of all identified infections, 32% were single G. duodenalis assemblage A and 32% were single G. duodenalis assemblage B, whereas 33% were mixed-assemblage infections. Fifteen unique G. duodenalis assemblage A and 13 unique G. duodenalis assemblage B β-giardin haplotypes were identified. There was a positive association between single infection with G. duodenalis assemblage B and both self-reporting of abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR]: 3.05, P = 0.004) and self-reporting of diarrhea (OR: 3.1, P = 0.003). No association between single infection with assemblage A and any form of intestinal pathology was found. Additionally, there was a positive association between mixed-assemblage infections and self-reporting of abdominal pain (OR: 3.1, P = 0.002). Our study highlights the importance G. duodenalis assemblage typing and reaffirms the need for improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries.

“…E. coli is one of the non-pathogenic protozoa and most commonly found in the human intestinal tract [6,7]. E. coli is distributed globally and the highest prevalence was reported in rural areas and regions with poor sanitation [8]. Recently, the high prevalence of 25.7-35% was reported in some rural school communities in Colombia [9,10].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of nested PCR for identification of Entamoeba coli in stool samples

Rattaprasert¹,

Nitatsukprasert²,

Thima³

et al. 2021

Preprint

Background The accurate detection of Entamoeba species provides for a better understanding of the nature of these parasites in humans and helps to provide accurate epidemiological data. However, the microscopic method is not sensitive and specific to identify the precise identification of Entamoeba spp. in stool specimens especially if it was examined by inexperienced laboratory technicians. In this study, nested PCR was developed for detection of Entamoeba coli, and can be differentiated from the other human Entamoeba spp. especially Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii. Methods Nested PCR assay was performed using Entamoeba genus-specific primers for the first round PCR reaction and newly designed E. coli-specific primers targeting small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene in the second round. Both sensitivity and specificity of nested PCR for detection of E. coli were determined. This assay was validated for detection of E. coli by using DNA obtained from 55 stool samples which previously examined by microscopy. Results obtained from developed nested PCR, genus-specific PCR, and microscopy were analyzed. Results Nested PCR was successfully developed to diagnose E. coli infection with a product size of 166 base pairs (bp). The nested PCR method could detect as little as 1 pg of E. coli DNA. The high specificity was confirmed by testing with DNA from the different intestinal pathogens, including bacteria and other protozoa. After testing with all stool samples, 50.9% of tested samples were positive for Entamoeba spp. by genus-specific PCR assay, 32.7% of E. coli positive samples detected by nested PCR, and 29.1% were positive by microscopic examination. Interestingly, four samples previously negative for E. coli by microscopy demonstrated E. coli by nested PCR. In addition, microscopy showed two false-positive compared with both nested PCR and genus-specific primers results. Conclusions The developed nested PCR assay based on genus Entamoeba-specific primers and newly designed E. coli-specific primers shows high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of E. coli in stool samples. This nested PCR assay will be beneficial not only for diagnostic purposes but also for a better understanding of the epidemiology of E. coli in the human population worldwide.