Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Anemia in Schoolchildren from Corn Island Archipelago (RAAS, Nicaragua)

Abstract

The prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in schoolchildren from Corn Islands (Nicaragua) were examined to detect mono-or poly-STH infected children, measuring different intensity levels, and to elucidate measurably increased odds of being anemic. A total of 341 stool samples provided by 2-to 15-year-old children were examined using a concentration technique and a Kato-Katz slide. Intensity of infection was expressed as eggs per gram (epg) of feces to classify light, moderate, or heavy intensity infection. A finger-prick blood sample was obtained from each student in the field. Soil-transmitted helminth prevalence was 54.3%, with Trichuris trichiura as the most prevalent species (48.9%). The combination T. trichiura/Ascaris lumbricoides (12.6%) was the most common. When T. trichiura or A. lumbricoides appeared as a single infection, light or moderate intensity infections were seen, whereas when multiple species were identified, heavy infections were present. Anemia was detected in those with any kind of STH infection (42.7%), with statistically significant differences (P = 0.004) when compared with uninfected individuals (28.2%). Polyparasite infection with one parasite species at moderate intensity and the other parasite species at light intensity or absent was found to be a significant factor for the odds of being anemic (odds ratio = 2.07). The present study reveals a high level of STH transmission requiring a deworming control program in Corn Islands and pointing to the need of improving the education and sanitary conditions of the population to avoid environmental contamination and reinfection.

High intestinal parasite infection detected in children from Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (R.A.A.N.) of Nicaragua

“…Blastocystis spp. and T. trichiura were detected as the predominant enteropathogens among children from R.A.A.N., just as in previous Nicaraguan studies 18 – 21 and other countries 24 – 26 . However, in other regions of Nicaragua, G. intestinalis and A. lumbricoides were the most common parasites found 1 , 27 .…”

“…Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Nicaragua 14 – 21 , although this is the first study published in SCI journals involving R.A.A.N. The goal of this epidemiological study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and the intensity of STH, assessing which variables (demographic/sanitary/behavioral) among schoolchildren were related to the infection, providing the baseline for appropriate strategies against STH infections.…”

Neglected Diseases—Parasitic Infections among Slovakian Children from Different Populations and Genotypes of Giardia duodenalis

“…The high prevalence of parasitic infection recorded in Roma settlements in our study is comparable to the results from developing countries. In Nicaragua, the prevalence of parasitic infections in children was up to 54.3% [38]. A higher prevalence of parasitic infections was reported in Malaysia, where parasitic infections were found in 56.3% of examined children [27].…”

Exploring factors associated with Trichuris trichiura infection in school children in a high-transmission setting in Kenya

“…In T. trichiura endemic areas, an age-dependent decline in prevalence is often observed in adults (aged >15 years), probably owing to reduced exposure and age-acquired immunity [15] . Male children have been shown to have a higher prevalence and intensity of T. trichiura than females in several studies [9 , 16] . This can be contributed to sociocultural differences physical activity, behaviors, and greater soil exposure [16] .…”