Prevalence of intestinal parasites and association with symptoms in Southeast Asian refugees.
We prospectively evaluated 201 Southeast Asian refugees in a primary care clinic for intestinal parasites and their association with gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients completed a standardized screening questionnaire which elicited information on demographic factors and eight gastrointestinal symptoms, and stools were collected for ova and parasite examination. Although 89% had been living in the U.S.A. for more than 1 year, intestinal parasites were found in 37 (18%) patients and pathogenic parasites in 23 (11%). Among these 37 patients with intestinal parasites, seven (19%) had multiple parasites. Seven pathogenic and four nonpathogenic species were identified. Hookworm was most prevalent (4.5%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (2.5%) and Clonorchis sinensis (2%). Cambodians had the highest prevalence (11%) and Vietnamese and highland Laotians the lowest (0%). Intestinal parasitosis was not associated with gender or duration of residence in the U.S.A. Individual symptoms had a low positive predictive value for the presence of pathogenic parasites. This suggests that even years after immigration a substantial number of Southeast Asian refugees may benefit from screening and treatment for intestinal parasites.
Buchwald
D
D
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle 98104, USA.
Lam
M
M
Hooton
T M
TM
D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012036:Refugees; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology