title: [For a better estimation of the prevalence of intestinal parasitism in the Tunis region].
abstract: The prevalence of intestinal parasitism is generally based on the results of a single stool specimen which probably underestimates the real situation. In order to propose a coefficient for correction, we examined three stool specimens taken from 112 asymptomatic children. Intestinal parasites other than Enterobius vermicularis were detected in 29 subjects (26%). For those specimens that tested positive, 41% of children had infection detected in all three stool specimens; 21%--in two specimens and 38%--in only one. If we assume that the sensitivity of three stool specimen examinations is 100%, then the calculated sensitivity of one examination is equivalent to 68%. This gives an underestimation of the prevalence of 32%. This underestimation is not homogenous for all species. As regards Giardia intestinalis it is 35%, but for other species it would have to be calculated from a larger sample.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de parasitologie clinique, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13, Pl Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouratbine
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siala
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chahed
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ben Hassine
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meherzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
vernacular_title: Pour une meilleure estimation de la prévalence du parasitisme intestinal dans la région de Tunis.