Intestinal Helminths Recovered from Humans in Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR with a Particular Note on Haplorchis pumilio Infection.
A survey of intestinal helminths was undertaken in riparian people in Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected from 643 people (289 males and 354 females) residing in 4 districts (Nonghet, Kham, Phoukout, and Pek) and were examined by the Kato-Katz technique. The overall helminth egg positive rate was 41.2%, and hookworms revealed the highest prevalence (32.7%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (7.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%). The positive rate for small trematode eggs (STE), which may include Opisthorchis viverrini, heterophyids, and lecithodendriids, was 4.4%. For recovery of adult helminths, 12 STE or nematode/cestode egg-positive people were treated with 40 mg/kg praziquantel and 15 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate, and then purged. Mixed infections with 2 Haplorchis species (H. pumilio and H. taichui), Centrocestus formosanus, Opisthorchis viverrini, a species of cestode (Taenia saginata), and several species of nematodes including hookworms and Enterobius vermicularis were detected. The worm load for trematodes was the highest for H. pumilio with an average of 283.5 specimens per infected person followed by C. formosanus, H. taichui, and O. viverrini. The worm load for nematodes was the highest for hookworms (21.5/infected case) followed by E. vermicularis (3.2/infected case). The results revealed that the surveyed areas of Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR are endemic areas of various species of intestinal helminths. The STE found in the surveyed population were verified to be those of heterophyids, particularly H. pumilio.
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea.
Jong-Yil
JY
Chai
Department of Parasitology and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 660-751, Korea.
Woon-Mok
WM
Sohn
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea.
Bong-Kwang
BK
Jung
Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Bank, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Tai-Soon
TS
Yong
Department of Parasitology and Medical Research Institute, Parasite Resource Bank, Chungbuk National University School of Medicine, Cheongju 361-763, Korea.
Keeseon S
KS
Eom
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 301-746, Korea.
Duk-Young
DY
Min
Department of Hygiene and Prevention, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Bounnaloth
B
Insisiengmay
Department of Hygiene and Prevention, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Sithat
S
Insisiengmay
Department of Hygiene and Prevention, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Bounlay
B
Phommasack
Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 136-705, Korea.
Han-Jong
HJ
Rim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002590:Cestode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology*; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010986:Platyhelminths / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
Haplorchis pumilio; Haplorchis taichui; Lao PDR; intestinal fluke