Extensive multiparasitism in a village of Yunnan province, People's Republic of China, revealed by a suite of diagnostic methods

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 May;78(5):760-9.

Abstract

Intestinal multiparasitism, the accuracy of different diagnostic techniques, and the influence of sampling effort were studied among 215 individuals in a Bulang village, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China. Behavioral, demographic, and socioeconomic data were obtained by questionnaire. Multiple stool specimens were examined by the Kato-Katz, Koga agar plate, Baermann, and ether-concentration methods. Eight helminth and 7 protozoa species were diagnosed. The prevalence of each of the 3 main soil-transmitted helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura) exceeded 85%. Blastocystis hominis was the most prevalent intestinal protozoan (20.0%). Over 80% of the individuals harbored 3 or more intestinal parasites concurrently. The infection intensities were predominantly light for hookworm and T. trichiura but moderate for A. lumbricoides. Examination of 3 instead of 1 stool specimen increased the sensitivity of helminth diagnosis, most notably for hookworm. Intestinal multiparasitism is rampant in this rural part of Yunnan province and calls for control measures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • China / epidemiology
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Parasitic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Parasitic Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Patient Compliance
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires