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Relationship between pinworm and urinary tract infections in young girls
1Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.
Insights
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young girls may be linked to pinworm infections. Studies found a significant association between pinworm eggs and UTIs, suggesting further investigation and testing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in young girls.
- Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is a prevalent helminth infection in children globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a potential association between pinworm infection and UTIs in young girls.
- To determine if pinworm presence is higher in girls with UTIs compared to those without.
Main Methods:
- A cellophane tape test was used to detect pinworm eggs in the perianal and perineal regions.
- Two groups of young girls were examined: those with UTIs and a control group without prior UTIs.
Main Results:
- Pinworm eggs were detected in 36.4% of girls with UTIs versus 16.4% in the control group.
- A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in pinworm prevalence was observed between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a possible relationship between pinworm infections and UTIs in young girls.
- Routine screening for pinworms using the cellophane tape method is recommended for girls diagnosed with UTIs.
Abstract:
Urinary tract infection is particularly common in young girls and Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is one of the most prevalent worms found in children worldwide. Young girls, with or without urinary tract infection, were examined for pinworms in order to explore a possible relationship between these two problems. Of the 55 young girls with urinary tract infection, 20 (36.4%) had pinworm eggs in the perianal and/or perineal region monitored using the cellophane tape method, while 9 (16.4%) of 55 young girls who had never previously had a urinary tract infection were found to have Enterobius eggs in at least one of the cellophane tape tests, and the difference was found to be significant (p<0.05). These results suggested that urinary tract infections may be related to pinworms. When a urinary tract infection is diagnosed in young girls, cellulose tape should be applied to both the perianal and the perineal regions on at least three consecutive occasions.