An epidemiological survey on intestinal parasite infection in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, with special reference to Strongyloides infection.
To estimate the current prevalence of intestinal helminth infection in Lao PDR, a parasitological survey was conducted in three villages in Khammouane Province in December 1996, with special reference to Strongyloides infection. A total of 669 fecal samples were collected in the villages and examined by agar-plate culture method and Kato-Katz thick smear method. Intestinal helminths were demonstrated in 82% of the samples as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides (30.5%), Trichuris trichiura (23.7%), hookworm (28.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (19.0%), Enterobius vermicuralis (3.4%), Opisthorchis viverrini (56.7%) and Taenia sp (3.0%). The infection rates of S. stercoralis were 27.5% and 18.4% in two rural villages, but only 9.4% in an urban village. The highest prevalence rate of Strongyloides infection was obtained in the age group from 20 to 29 years old, although the infection rate already reached 10% in the age group under 10 years old. The prevalence was consistently higher in male subject than females in almost all age groups.
Vannachone
B
B
Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Kobayashi
J
J
Nambanya
S
S
Manivong
K
K
Inthakone
S
S
Sato
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*