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Isosporiasis in the aboriginal population of Queensland
Objective:
To report on the endemicity of Isospora belli in Queensland.
Design:
A 10-year retrospective survey of data from routine parasitological surveillance of Queensland Aboriginal communities, by microscopic examination of preserved faecal specimens.
Setting:
The Aboriginal Health Programme of the Queensland Department of Health and Medical Services.
Population:
Children under 15 years of age from all the Aboriginal communities of Queensland.
Results:
Oocysts of I. belli were detected in 33 (0.2%) of a total of 17,642 faecal samples examined.
Conclusion:
Isosporiasis is endemic in the Queensland Aboriginal population. It is likely to be more common than indicated, because the infection is difficult to diagnose, and the techniques used to identify the organism were not particularly sensitive. It is predicted that isosporiasis will be recognised with increasing frequency as a cause of diarrhoea in Aboriginal and white Australians who develop AIDS.