Posted on

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in stool specimens at Muhondo Health Center, Rwanda

Noel Gahamanyi, Jean de Dieu Mugabo, Claude Bayingana

 

Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite causing amebiasis. It occurs usually in the large intestine and causes internal inflammation as its name means (histo = tissue, lytic = destroying). Between 40 and 50 million people are infected worldwide, mostly in tropical countries, in areas of poor sanitation. The infection occurs by ingestion of mature cyst in fecally contaminated food, water or hands. The disease shows different symptoms including vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, watery and bloody diarrhea. While the infection becomes extra intestinal, it may cause abscess in other organs such as liver, kidney, brain and lungs.

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of E. histolytica in stool specimens at Muhondo Health Center. A total of 103 fecal specimens were collected over a period of three months. Out of 103 specimens, only 26 (25.2%) were positive for E. histolytica. Out of the 26 specimens positive for E. histolytica, 17 (16.5%) and 9 (8.7%) were from males and females respectively. Furthermore, of the 26 Specimens positive for E. histolytica, 15 (14.6%) and 11 (10.7%) were from people ≤ 15 and >15 years of age respectively. Entamoeba histolytica was more prevalent 26 (25.2%) than other parasites including Giardia with 15 (14.6%), Ascaris sp with 5 (4.9%), Trichomonas intestinalis with 16 (15.5%) and Entamoeba coli with 1 (1%). In order to reduce Entamoeba histolytica contamination and infections, the following recommendations were pointed out: (i) improving personal hygiene (washing hand before eating and after using latrines) ; (ii) avoiding fecal contamination of food, water, and utensils ; and (iii) boiling drinking water before consumption.

Keywords: Parasites, Prevalence, Entamoeba histolytica, amebiasis, Stool specimens, Muhondo Health Center

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in stool specimens at Muhondo Health Center, Rwanda

Posted on

Prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasite infections in HIV seropositive individuals on antiretroviral therapy in Vom, Plateau State Nigeria

PM Lar, VK Pam, Julius Ayegba, Hosea Zumbes

 

Abstract

Background: The immunologic status of an individual can determine outcomes of treatment and their capacity to combat opportunistic infections. Co-infection with other parasites will confound the situation; however there is inadequate information on the interaction of HIV and helminth infections. We wanted to establish the relationship of the immunologic status and the prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV/AIDS patients enrolled for antiretroviral therapy at the Vom Christian health centre.

Materials & Methods: With their consent, stool samples of 205 subjects were collected and examined parasitologically by direct microscopy and concentration techniques. Their most resent CD4+ cell counts were obtained at the centre. The demographic characteristics of the subjects were determined from their response to a questionaire.

Results: Out of the 205 subjects examined 61.9% of them had various parasites with helminthes occurring in 51.9% of the cases. The age group of 31-40 years was the most significantly infected (P< 0.05). Hookworms and Schistosoma mansonii were most frequent with prevalence rates of 18.1% and 16.5% respectively. The highest prevalence of parasites occurred in HIV/AIDS people with CD4+ cells between 101-200 cells/μ and those with counts below 100 cells/al.Occupation was highly associated with parasitic infections (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: Parasitic infection remained highly prevalent among the subjects examined in spite of ART treatment and in the case of intense infection in the immunocompromised, treatment outcome may be compromised.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Parasites, ART, Coinfection

Download full journal in PDF below

Prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasite infections in HIV seropositive individuals on antiretroviral therapy in Vom, Plateau State Nigeria

Posted on

Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Parasites Infection among Primary School Pupils in Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

Y Mohammed, M Aliyu, NT Dabo, NU Adabara, B Otone, AO Ige

 

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia among primary school pupils in four communities of Bosso Local Government Area in Niger State, Nigeria. Stool samples from 250 pupils were collected and examined for Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia using formol ether concentration technique. Out of the 250 samples analyzed, 115 (46%) for either Entamoeba histolytica or Giardia lamblia or both. Ninety (36.0%) subjects were positive for Giardia lamblia while 46 (18.4%) subjects had Entamoeba histolytica. Single species infection was seen in 78 (67.8%) of the infected pupils whereas 47 (40.9%) were infected with both parasites. The age group (9-10) years had the highest rates of infection of 14 (21.5%) and 37 (56.9%) for G. Lamblia and E. histolyticarespectively. Males had the highest rate of infection (53.5%) compared to the females with (46.3%). Poverty, ignorance and poor environmental sanitation were factors found to be associated with the high prevalence rates recorded.

Keywords: Protozoan, Parasites, Infections, Pupils, Bosso, Niger State, Nigeria.

Download full journal in PDF below

Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Parasites Infection among Primary School Pupils in Bosso Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria