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A longitudinal study of enterobiasis in three day care centers of Havana City
F A Núñez1, M Hernández, C M Finlay
1Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri, Ministerio de Salud Pública, Ciudad Habana, Cuba.
Insights
Pinworm infection (enterobiasis) is common in childcare settings. This study tracked 469 children, finding that while treatment reduced prevalence, reinfection remained high, linked to itching.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Parasitology
- Public health epidemiology
Background:
- Pinworm infection (enterobiasis) is a prevalent helminthic infection globally.
- Daycare centers represent high-risk environments for transmission due to close contact among children.
- Understanding transmission dynamics and reinfection rates is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the prevalence, incidence, and reinfection rates of pinworm infections in a cohort of children attending daycare centers.
- To assess the effectiveness of mebendazole treatment in reducing pinworm prevalence.
- To identify factors associated with reinfection.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study over one year involving 469 children in three daycare centers.
- Six-month interval examinations using up to three adhesive tape perianal swabs.
- Treatment of infected children with mebendazole.
- Calculation of prevalence, incidence, and reinfection rates.
Main Results:
- Initial pinworm prevalence was 28%, decreasing to 13% and 12% in subsequent periods after treatment.
- Reinfection rates were double the incidence rates throughout the study.
- A high correlation was observed between reinfection and perianal itching.
- Approximately 10% of children experienced reinfection across multiple study periods.
Conclusions:
- Mebendazole treatment effectively reduces pinworm prevalence in daycare settings.
- High reinfection rates indicate challenges in sustained control, necessitating ongoing surveillance and hygiene measures.
- Perianal itching is a significant indicator of ongoing or repeated pinworm infection, highlighting its importance in diagnosis and management.
Abstract:
Pinworm infection was prospectively studied during one year in 469 children attending three day care centers. Each child was examined at six months intervals using up to three perianal swabs with adhesive tape. Those found infected were treated with mebendazole. At the beginning of the study we found a prevalence of 28% that dropped to 13% and 12% in the following study periods. The reinfection rate was twice the incidence rate in both study periods. We also found a small percentage (10%) of the children reinfected in most or all study periods. There was a high correlation between reinfection and perianal itching. Our results add further knowledge to the epidemiology of intestinal parasites in day care centers.