Intestinal and blood parasites in the Torro Valley, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Approximately 300 blood and fecal specimens were examined in a parasitologic survey of indigenous inhabitants of the small isolated Torro Valley in the mountains of Central Sulawesi. Schistosoma japonicum was not found although the parasite is endemic in the neighboring Lindu and Napu valleys. Hookworm infection (71%) was the most common helminthiasis. The prevalences of ascariasis (3%) and trichuriasis (2%) are low for Indonesia in general but similar to those found in nearby mountainous areas of Sulawesi. Intestinal protozoa endemic to the area are: Entamoeba histolytica (8%). E. coli (23%). Endolimax nana (9%), Iodamoeba butschii (9%) and Giardia lamblia (14%). Plasmodium vivax infections were found in 4% and P. falciparum in 2% of persons examined. Brugia malayi microfilaremia was found with a prevalence of 25%. The high rate of splenic (54%) and hepatic (22%) enlargement found on examination of 206 persons of all ages is considered to be a result of combined effects of endemic malaria and hereditary ovalocytosis.