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Emerging opportunistic protozoa and intestinal pathogenic protozoal infestation profile in children of western Nepal

Joshy Maducolil Easow1, Chiranjoy Mukhopadhyay, Godwin Wilson

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal.

Nepal Medical College Journal : NMCJ
|March 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal protozoal parasites like Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are common in children with gastrointestinal illness. Opportunistic pathogens were found in immunocompromised infants, highlighting public health concerns.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Intestinal parasitic infestations are a significant public health issue in tropical and subtropical regions.
  • These infections contribute to high morbidity rates within affected populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the intestinal protozoal parasitic profile in children presenting with gastrointestinal illness.
  • To analyze a 5-year retrospective hospital-based data of pre-school and school-going children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of hospital records over a 5-year period.
  • Inclusion of 1790 pre-school and school-going children with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Giardia lamblia was the most frequent pathogen (73.4%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (24.4%).
  • Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium sp. (1.0% each) were identified in immunocompromised children under 2 years.
  • Evidence suggests vertical transmission of these opportunistic pathogens.

Conclusions:

  • Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are prevalent causes of parasitic gastroenteritis in children.
  • The detection of opportunistic protozoa in young, immunocompromised children warrants attention, especially in the context of Nepal's HIV epidemic.
  • Findings underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and control strategies for intestinal parasitic infections.

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