Estimation of hookworm intensity by anthelmintic expulsion in primary schoolchildren in south India.
A study was carried out between March 1990 and February 1991 to determine the prevalence and intensity of hookworm infection in 151 primary schoolchildren, aged 6-12 years, in Jalaripet, a slum area in South India predominantly inhabited by fishermen. Pre-treatment stool samples were processed by a modified formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique to determine ova counts. All children were treated with pyrantel pamoate and post-chemotherapy stools were collected over 48 h to recover expelled worms. The overall prevalence of hookworm infection was 45% and the mean egg count was 192 eggs/g. The mean worm burden was 1.25 worms/child. The influence of host factors such as age and sex, environmental factors and behavioural factors on the intensity of egg output and worm burden was investigated.
Mani
G G
GG
Department of Zoology, Andhra University, India.
Rao
S T
ST
Madhavi
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015995:Prevalence; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology