[Evaluation of helminth carrier rates among foreign workers (author's transl)]

The evaluated helminth carrier rate among foreign workers give rise to many problems under socio-economic, hygienic and occupational aspects. The evaluation of helminth infestation is connected with considerable uncertainty. Based on the author's examinations these problems are critically investigated from the point of view of both, the employer and the employee. It is shown in tables that in the Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology of Würzburg during 1973/1974 497/702 respectively faecal examinations were performed among German and foreign employees and workers. No difference was noted in the overall positive rates in both groups. But there were distinct differences in the species of helminths noted: Among the foreign workers mainly Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis were noted while among Germans Taenia saginata prevailed. Noteworthy is the fact, that workers from Turkey and Yugoslavia have occasionally three and more species of helminths and pathogenic protozoa in a single specimen. Since the helminth species found are not transmitted from man to man and since usually the circumstances do not permit a transmission via food, such carriers of helminth don't represent a direct danger for man or the contamination of foofdstuff. For hygienic reasons however helminth carriers may not be acceptable in certain occupations. In case of clinical symptoms the treatment of such patients is required for medical reasons. In spite of frequent absence of clinical signs the consequent liberation of the carriers from their intestinal worms and the sanitation of their personal environment should not be neglected.