clove and Trichuriasis

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections carry the highest number of disability adjusted life years among all neglected tropical diseases, disproportionately affecting low-income countries such as Madagascar.  This study describes the epidemiology of STH and S. stercoralis infections in twelve remote villages surrounding Ranomafana National Park (RNP), Ifanadiana, Madagascar. Questionnaires and stool samples were collected from 574 subjects from random households. The Kato-Katz method and spontaneous sedimentation technique were used to examine stool samples for evidence of infection. Infection prevalence rates were 71.4% for Ascaris lumbricoides (95% CI: 67.7-75.1), 74.7% for Trichuris trichiura (95% CI: 71.1-78.2), 33.1% for hookworm (95% CI: 29.2-36.9), and 3.3% for Strongyloides stercoralis (95% CI: 1.84-4.77). Participants who were older in age (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95-0.99) and who had a high school education (OR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04-0.77) were less likely to be infected with a STH. Females were less likely to be infected with A. lumbricoides (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33-0.82). Participants living in villages further from the main road were more likely to be infected with a STH (F = 4.00, p = 0.02). Overall, this study found that 92.5% (95% CI: 90.3-94.6) of the people living in rural regions near RNP have at least one STH infection. This calls into question the current preventative chemotherapy (PC) program in place and suggests that further medical, socioeconomic, and infrastructural deveopments are needed to reduce STH prevalence rates among this underserved population.

Topics: Age Factors; Ancylostomatoidea; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Education; Feces; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Madagascar; Parks, Recreational; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Rural Population; Strongyloides stercoralis; Strongyloidiasis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Trichuriasis; Trichuris

An epidemiological study of intestinal nematodes was conducted with 1,292 children, ranging from birth through 11 yr old, living in the Ranomafana rainforest of southeast Madagascar. Fecal examinations revealed prevalences of 78% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 38% for Trichuris trichiura, 16% for hookworm, and 0.4% for Schistosoma mansoni. Infection intensity was measured indirectly by fecal egg counts and directly by A. lumbricoides expulsion following treatment with pyrantel pamoate. The mean A. lumbricoides worm burden for children, 5-11 yr old, was 19.2 (SD 20.4) worms per child, with a median of 13 worms (n = 428). The distributions were overdispersed for all 3 nematodes. The age profiles showed a rapid acquisition of A. lumbricoides during infancy, increasing to 100% prevalence by age 10. After mebendazole anthelmintic treatment and a 12-mo reinfection period, the nematodes had rebounded to pretreatment prevalence and intensity levels. There was evidence for age-dependent predisposition of the children to infection intensity for each of the 3 nematodes. Dual species intensity correlation was consistently strong for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. The significantly higher prevalence and intensity of ascariasis in girls were thought to be related to exposure.

Topics: Age Distribution; Ancylostomatoidea; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Feces; Female; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Longitudinal Studies; Madagascar; Male; Parasite Egg Count; Pilot Projects; Prevalence; Sex Distribution; Trichuriasis; Trichuris

This study of bilharzia and other intestinal parasites was carried out on 496 children in the Firaisana of Ankilivalo. As well as determine the prevalence of these parasites, data was collected on nutrition, agriculture and the use of water in order to gain an understanding of the transmission and effects of these parasites, and hence make recommendations for their control. In two schools within the area of a major irrigation scheme the prevalence of bilharzia was 69%, and 50% of children suffer from at least one other intestinal worm. In a school outside the main irrigation area, the prevalence was much lower (7%), but nutritional standards were also lower. Ultimately, control of bilharzia will depend on improvements to the irrigation and drainage infrastructure, and in standards of sanitation. However, chemotherapy is the only method of bringing the disease under control in the short term.

Topics: Adolescent; Ancylostomiasis; Ascariasis; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Madagascar; Male; Schistosomiasis haematobia; Trichuriasis

An evaluation of health problems is done in a village in Eastern Madagascar, where takes place a development programme. 217 inhabitants go through physical examination and lab tests are performed (Blood smear - Thick drop. Emmel test. Stools examination for parasites and enteroviruses). The epidemiologic investigation reveals the prevalences of Malaria (39,4 p. 100) intestinal schistosomiasis (59,9 p. 100) Ascaridiasis (61,3 p. 100) Hookworm (29,9 p. 100) Trichuriasis (19,8 p. 100) and sickle cells anemia (4,80 p. 100). The signs and symptoms are analysed, particularly spleen enlargement which is shown to be due to schistosomiasis. The local transmition pattern of schistosomiasis is investigated and, according to the malacological findings, is thought to be intermittent. The determination of the local hookworm is started. It should be Necator americanus. The sanitary programme to be set is considered regarding the local contexte.

Topics: Age Factors; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Animals; Ascaridiasis; Disease Vectors; Feces; Health Surveys; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Madagascar; Malaria; Mollusca; Sanitation; Schistosomiasis; Splenomegaly; Trichuriasis