Prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the city of Portoviejo (Ecuador)

We studied the stool samples of 151 school children in a district of the city of Portoviejo (Ecuador) in order to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and their relationships with anthropometric indices. The samples were analyzed with the semiquantitative Kato-Katz technique and the intensity of infections was categorized as light, moderate or high according to the thresholds set by the World Health Organization. Prevalence of soil transmitted helmintiasis was 65% (92 out of 141 collected samples), Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common STH (63%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (10%) and hookworm (1.4%). Heavy intensity infections were found in 8.5% of the stool samples, with T. trichiura showing higher worm burdens than A. lumbricoides. Sixteen percent of the children were below the third percentile for weight (wasted), while 27% were below the third percentile for height (stunted). A significant relationship was found between the worm burden and the degree of stunting. This study suggests that the periodic administration of an antihelminthic drug should be targeted to preschool and school children to allow a normal growth spurt and prevent stunting.

Helmintoses zoonóticas transmitidas pelo consumo inadequado de peixes

Among the major food-borne parasitic zoonoses, the helminthiasis transmitted by consumption of fish have been highlighted because they involve a large number of individuals in many regions of the world in recent years. In the past, these parasitosis were restricted to underdeveloped nations or with peculiar eating habits; however the process of globalization of food production, the increased international travel and consumption of fish for their nutritional benefits caused the expansion into new areas, which had never before been recorded, making it a serious public health problem in some countries. This review discuss the main helminths transmitted by eating raw or undercooked fish, in order to alert the public, the scientific community and health authorities about their risks to human health, as well as stimulate the realization of new researches that contributes to a greater knowledge of the epidemiological situation in the country of these parasites and the development of strategies for prevention and control of them.

Tratado sobre las enfermedades que producen las lombrices en el cuerpo humano y su método curativo : obra interesante para los hacendados y agricultores de las islas de Cuba y Puerto Rico y para los habitantes de la América setentrional y meridional /

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