title: Integrated surveillance of pulmonary tuberculosis and paragonimiasis in Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and paragonimiasis remain as health problems in certain areas in the Philippines. Both share similar clinical manifestations, which include chronic productive cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, fever, weight loss, and night sweats. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTB, paragonimiasis, and co-infections in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in selected villages in two municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte. Patients with chronic cough were interviewed, examined, and requested to submit two sputum samples which were processed using Ziehl-Neelsen method to detect acid-fast bacilli (AFB), and NaOH concentration technique for the detection of Paragonimus ova.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 836 patients submitted sputum samples for examination. Prevalence was 6·7% (2·5-12·7%) for paragonimiasis and 1·9% (0·9-6·3%) for PTB. Co-infection rate was 0·3%, with two identified cases. Positivity rates for males and females were 9·6 and 5·8% for paragonimiasis and 3·4 and 1·2% for PTB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulmonary tuberculosis and paragonimiasis are co-endemic in Zamboanga del Norte, suggesting the need to integrate surveillance and control efforts. Strengthening local health systems through collaboration between different sectors is recommended for effective disease control. Development of more sensitive diagnostic tests is important for more accurate disease surveillance.
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Belizario
authors.forename: Francis Isidore
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Totanes
authors.forename: Camille Ann
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Asuncion
authors.forename: Winifreda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: De Leon
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: Concepcion
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: June Rose
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Naig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060085:Coinfection; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010237:Paragonimiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010238:Paragonimus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010679:Philippines; D015995:Prevalence; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D013183:Sputum / Q000469:parasitology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Integrated surveillance and control; Paragonimiasis,; Pulmonary tuberculosis,