Related Experiment Videos
Blastocystosis in preschool children from bolivar city, venezuela
1Departamento de Medicina Tropical, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brasil.
Insights
Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite in Venezuelan preschoolers, affecting nearly 19%. While not directly linked to symptoms, its presence correlated with parasite severity, showing good treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Blastocystis hominis is a prevalent enteric protozoan parasite.
- Understanding its prevalence and clinical significance in young children is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) in preschool children.
- To assess the clinical relevance and associated symptomatology of B. hominis infections.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic examination of stool samples from 169 preschool children.
- Utilized direct microscopic examination and concentration techniques (Faust, Willis).
- Statistical analysis to evaluate differences by sex, age, and correlation with clinical manifestations.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of B. hominis was 18.93% among the studied preschool children.
- B. hominis was the sole parasite in 53.13% of infected children.
- No significant difference in prevalence based on sex or age was observed.
Conclusions:
- Blastocystis hominis is a frequent intestinal parasite in preschool children in Bolivar City, Venezuela.
- Infection presence correlated with parasite load severity, not specific symptoms.
- Effective clinical and parasitological treatment responses were observed in most cases.
Abstract:
To evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and its clinical relevance, 169 preschool children from the 'Los Coquitos' nursery school living in Bolivar City, Venezuela, were studied. Stool samples were obtained and examined by direct microscopic examination, and the Faust and Willis concentration techniques. Some 72 of the children had intestinal parasites, of whom 32 (29.09%) had B. hominis. Prevalence for the latter was 18.93 % +/- 5.93 %. No differences were observed by sex or age (X(2) = 1.84 DF= 3; p > 0. 05). In the majority (53.13%) of the children, B. hominis was the only parasite. Giardia lamblia was the parasite most frequently identified with B. hominis (39.13%). In 1994, in 12% of the cases more than five microorganisms per microscopic field were observed. Clinical manifestations were observed in 70.58% of the preschool children. Presence of parasites was not correlated with symptomatology, but only with severity. Proper clinical and parasitological response to treatment was observed in 80% and 90% of patients, respectively. The conclusion was that B. hominis is a relatively frequent intestinal parasite among the preschool children evaluated.