Determining the prevalence of intestinal parasites in three Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities in Perak, Malaysia.
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites   among children and adult Orang Aslis (Aborigines) from different locations in Perak. Faecal   samples were collected and analyzed using the direct smear and formal ether sedimentation   technique. Some of the faecal samples were stained using the Modified Acid fast stain for   Cryptosporidium. Nail clippings of the respondents and the soil around their habitat were   also analyzed. Of the 77 stool samples examined, 39 (50.6%) were positive for at least one   intestinal parasite. The most common parasite detected was Trichuris trichiura (39.0%)   followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (26.9%), Entamoeba coli (5.2%), Giardia lamblia (5.2%),   Blastocystis hominis (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.3%), Iodamoeba   butschlii (1.3%) and Cryptosporidium sp. (1.3%) respectively. Some respondents had single   parasites (24.7%), some with two parasites (18.2%). Some with three parasites (6.5%) and one   had four parasites species (1.3%). The parasites were slightly more common in females   (54.7%) than males ((41.7%). The parasites were more common in the 13-20 year age group   (90.9%) followed by 1-12 years (69.6%), 21-40 year age group (34.8%) and least in the 41-60   year age group (27.8%). Nail examinations of the respondents did not show any evidence of   parasites. One had a mite, three had pollen grains and one had yeast cells isolated from the   finger nails. Soil samples taken around their houses showed only one sample with a nematode   ova and one with oocyst which was of a non human origin.
Medical Degree Programme, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak, No 3 Jalan Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. sinniah@rcmp.unikl.edu.my
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Sinniah
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Sabaridah
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Soe
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Sabitha
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Awang
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Ong
A K R
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Hassan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000469:parasitology; D001200:Ascaris / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology*; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000469:parasitology; D015995:Prevalence; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D055815:Young Adult
D012987:Soil