Screening for intestinal parasites in adults from three different regions of Colombia

Abstract

Intestinal parasitosis (IP) is a public health problem in developing countries affecting one fourth of the global population. IP are common studied in children, neglecting the adults that are also at high risk and source of transmission. A screening study was performed with a convenience sample in three Colombian regions: Guachené (Cauca), Quibdó (Chocó), and Urabá (Antioquia). Feces samples from 284 volunteers (older than 18 years old) were tested by microscopy to identify parasite ova and cysts. The IP frequency was 14.5%, and 52.1% were males. 63.2% of the parasitized patients exhibited diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain with significant association. 39.5% had single parasitic infection and 60.5% had multiple parasites: Blastocystis hominis (63.9%), Entamoeba hystolitica/dispar (39.4%), Endolimax nana (33.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22.2%), Giardia lamblia (19.4%), Entamoeba coli (13.9%), Trichuris trichiura (11.1%), hookworm species (11.1%), Strongyloides stercolaris (5.6%), and Iodamoeba butschlii (2.8%). A multivariate approach was used to determine predictor factors for IP: male gender, rainwater as drinking source, and feces disposal different to toilet, latrine or septic tank were positively associated with infection. This study evidences that adult population, not only children from vulnerable areas of Colombia, must have to include as a risk for intestinal parasitism.

Molecular detection and genotyping of intestinal protozoa from different biogeographical regions of Colombia

“…These factors directly influence the transmission of parasitic diseases among the residents of a given region (Ortiz, López & Rivas, 2012). Another factor that plays a major role in transmission of infectious protozoa is age: children tend to be the most common hosts and adults are likely to be an important source of transmission to children (Carvajal-Restrepo et al, 2019). Age may be associated with susceptibility to infection due to age-dependent immunological conditions that favor colonization by protozoa as well as age-dependent malnutrition and behavioral factors that affect transmission (Harhay, Horton & Olliaro, 2010).…”

“…In Colombia, most reports on protozoan pathogens have focused solely on microscopic detection (Agudelo-Lopez et al, 2008;Carvajal-Restrepo et al, 2019). Several studies have shown differences in detection rates using molecular tests, which allow identification of cryptic species and their genotypes in addition to detection (Morgan et al, 1998;Stensvold et al, 2018).…”

The Incidence Of Intestinal Parasites Among Children In Hivi Pediatric Hospital, Duhok, Iraq

“…The soil-transmitted helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura) are the most prevalent, infecting an estimated one-sixth of the global population [5]. On another hand, Gastrointestinal parasites may affect one fourth of the global population of all ages and both sexes, mainly due to fecal contamination of food and water [6,7]. It causes undernourishment, morbidity and incapacitation due to their behavior particularly in children [8].…”

“…Intestinal parasitosis is common studied in children, neglecting the adults that are also at high risk and source of transmission [5,6]. To date, the study of intestinal parasites and chronic gastrointestinal disorders has been limited predominately to Giardia lamblia.…”

Burden and Epidemiology of Human Intestinal Giardia duodenalis Infection in Colombia: A Systematic Review

“…Hence, their eligibility was assessed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 23 articles were included in this systematic review [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. The PRISMA Statement flow diagram, composed of four phases (identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion) is shown in Figure 1 .…”