The occurrence of human intestinal parasites in Finland.
A survey of the occurrence of intestinal parasites covered 243 inmates of institution for the mentally retarded, 537 hospital patients from 4 areas, 100 military servicemen, and 65 prisoners. Two faecal samples from each patient were examined by the formalin-ether concentration technique. Among the mentally retarded the prevalence of intestinal parasites was high, 41.3% among children and 51.5% among adults. The commonest parasite was Entamoeba coli. In Helsinki, the prevalence among children in hospital was only 7%, but among adult out patients, 18.9%. Among hospital patients in other areas, military servicemen, and prisoners in Helsinki the prevalence of intestinal parasites was low. The high prevalence of this protozoon, 14.8% among adult out-patients in Helsinki, probably reflects the increase in tourism. Four cases of Trichuris infection were detected among the mentally retarded.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000453:epidemiology; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005387:Finland; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000469:parasitology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D011330:Prisons; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology