Intestinal parasitoses.
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitoses is a clinical problem in the developing world and severe parasitaemia may be associated with retroviruses.


OBJECTIVE
Studies on intestinal parasitoses were conducted in Dominica, and the health implications in an HTLV-1 endemic area were discussed.


METHODS
A retrospective study of data of stool samples analysed at the parasitology unit of the medical laboratory services of Princess Margaret Hospital, Dominica, was conducted in January-December 1999.


RESULTS
Parasites were found in 393 out of 3,752 stool samples (10.47%). The main parasites were Entamoeba coli, 1.4% (51/3,752); hookworm, 1.5% (56/3,752); Giardia lamblia, 1.4% (51/3,752); Strongyloides stercoralis, 1.0% (37/3,752); Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.8% (28/3,752); and Trichuris trichiura, 0.9% (34/3,752).


CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal parasites are still endemic in Dominica, but significant reduction in prevalence has occurred over the last two decades.
Adedayo
Olayinka
O
Ross University School of Medicine, Commonwealth of Dominica. oadedayo@hotmail.com
Nasiiro
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019424:Dominica / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology