title: Species-Specific Associations Between Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Micronutrients in Vietnamese Schoolchildren.
abstract: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and micronutrient deficiencies are closely related and often coexist among low-income populations. We studied the association between infections with specific STH species and micronutrient status in rural Vietnamese schoolchildren. Children (N = 510) aged 6-9 years were recruited from two primary schools. STH infections were determined in stool samples. Hemoglobin, ferritin, retinol, and zinc were measured in blood samples, as well as C-reactive protein to control for inflammation. Iodine excretion was measured in urine. Associations of single and multiple infections with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm with micronutrient status (hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, retinol, zinc, and urinary iodine) were estimated by multiple regression analysis. Ascaris infections showed a specific and intensity-dependent negative association with vitamin A. Trichuris and hookworm infections were associated with lower hemoglobin concentration, but not with plasma ferritin. Trichuris-infected children had zinc deficiency less often than uninfected children. In conclusion, our study shows species-specific associations between STH infections and micronutrient status in children. The different life cycles of STH species might have specific effects on the absorption or loss of specific micronutrients. Tailor-made combinations of deworming and nutritional interventions may be needed to improve child health and nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Section Health and Life Sciences, Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit (VU University), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Brechje
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Gier
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Tran Thuy
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Nga
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pattanee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winichagoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marjoleine A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dijkhuizen
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nguyen Cong
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Section Health and Life Sciences, Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit (VU University), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van de Bor
authors.affiliation: Section Infectious Diseases, Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit (VU University), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maiza Campos
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ponce
authors.affiliation: Section Infectious Diseases, Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit (VU University), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Polman
authors.affiliation: UMR-204 NutriPass IRD-UM-SupAgro, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France. franck.wieringa@ird.fr.
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Wieringa
mesh_terms: D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014258:Trichuris / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D018977:Micronutrients; D012987:Soil; D014801:Vitamin A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins; D007455:Iodine; D015032:Zinc