title: Human Oesophagostomum infection in northern Togo and Ghana: epidemiological aspects.
abstract: Recently, it has been established that human infection with Oesophagostomum bifurcum is common in northern Togo and northeastern Ghana. Two surveys were conducted in this area. In a regional survey, O. bifurcum infection appeared to occur in 38 of 43 villages. The highest prevalences (up to 59%) occurred mostly in small isolated villages and were usually associated with high hookworm infection rates. The infection was relatively rare in children under five years of age (7% infected). In older individuals, females showed higher prevalences than males (30% vs. 24%). In a second survey, the entire population of two high-prevalence villages was examined. Infection rates were low in children under three years of age, but rose quickly thereafter, suggesting intense transmission. A stable level of infection was reached by 10 years of age. Oesophagostomum larvae were found more frequently in hookworm-positive than in hookworm-negative coprocultures, and possible explanations for the association between infection with Oesophagostomum and hookworm are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Lomé and Dapaong, Togo.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Krepel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baeta
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Polderman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009814:Oesophagostomiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D014037:Togo / Q000453:epidemiology