Intestinal parasites and genotypes of Giardia intestinalis in school children from Berisso, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections have been reported in different regions of Argentina. Giardia intestinalis is recognized as "the national parasite". The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of both intestinal parasites and G. intestinalis genotypes, as well as to analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics in schoolchildren from a suburban community. Methodology: Serial coproparasitological analysis and perianal swab method were performed in 244 schoolchildren. Demographic, sociocultural and environmental variables were registered. The presence of signs/symptoms and risk behaviours were also recorded. Stools with G. intestinalis were selected for genotyping. Results: Out of 244 schoolchildren, 179/244 (73.4%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The presence of intestinal parasitosis was associated only with house flooding. Multivariate analysis identified that use of a latrine is significantly correlated with G. intestinalis and age six to 11 years with E. vermicularis. Signs and symptoms were recorded in 62% of infected children and in 57.9% of those not infected. Genomic amplification was revealed that 65.7% (46/70) of Giardia positive samples corresponded to genotype B, 31.4% (22/70) to genotype AII, and two samples (2.8%) had mixed infection (AII + B). Conclusions: This study shows a high percentage of infected children living in a suburban community in poor sanitary conditions, and not visiting the doctor in spite of evident signs and symptoms associated a digestive pathology. This situation supports the need for continuing the development of community programs allowing the improvement of quality of life and control of parasitosis in deprived populations.

Molecular identification of Giardia duodenalis in Ecuador by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism

“…Assemblage B was seen to be predominant (42 of 69 or 61%) with group BIII the most common of the four genotypes (26 or 38%). This is in agreement with previous studies (Amar et al 2002, Bertrand et al 2005, Lebbad et al 2008, Minvielle et al 2008, Aldana et al 2011, Molina et al 2011). Assemblage A was found in 22 of the 69 isolates (32%) with group II (19 of 69 or 28%) the most common.…”

“…Assemblage BIV was found in 16 (23%) and only three individuals were infected with Group AI (4%); this low frequency is consistent with the literature (Amar et al 2002, Bertrand et al 2005, Babaei et al 2008). Interestingly, five individuals (7%) in this study were co-infected with both genotypes AII and BIII, which also has been previously documented (Amar et al 2002, Babaei et al 2008, Molina et al 2011). Overall, the odds ratio (OR) of diarrhoea in individuals infected with Giardia, compared to those uninfected, was 3.11 (95% CI = 2.11, 5.10).…”

Estudio transversal de las parasitosis intestinales en poblaciones infantiles de Argentina

“…Entre las especies halladas, Blastocystis sp., E. vermicularis y G. lamblia fueron las más frecuentes en la mayoría de las provincias, en concordancia con otras investigaciones (14, 32, 35). Entre las provincias estudiadas, la mayor frecuencia de Blastocystis sp.…”

Nutritional status in parasitized and nonparasitized children from two districts of buenos aires, Argentina

“…In a third stage, the program measures the impact of those interventions. Among the previous published research from the project, Molina et al (2011) found the presence of intestinal parasites in suburban schoolchildren was associated only with house flooding. A multivariate analysis identified G. intestinalis was correlated with use of latrine.…”