Intestinal parasites in children with diarrhea in Delhi, India.
The parasitic causes of diarrhea in children in Delhi were determined by the direct smear technique; stool specimens of 127 children were examined for intestinal parasites. In 59 cases (46.5%) intestinal helminths and protozoa were demonstrated. Ascaris lumbricoides was observed in 1 (0.8%) case, while Trichuris trichiura was the finding in 3 (2.4%). Protozoal parasites included Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica in 14 (11%) cases each, Balantidium coli in 3 (2.4%) cases and Cryptosporidium spp in 24 (18.9%) patients. Mixed infection was not seen in any of the cases. Intestinal parasites may increase susceptibility to infection with other intestinal pathogens and therefore with the help of a simple technique, like direct fecal smear examination. rapid diagnosis can be made and specific therapy instituted.
Kaur
Ravinder
R
Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, Vikas Puri, New Delhi, India. dr_kaur@hotmail.com
Rawat
Deepti
D
Kakkar
Manish
M
Uppal
Beena
B
Sharma
V K
VK
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides; D001447:Balantidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*