An epidemiological survey on intestinal parasite infection in Khammouane Province, Lao PDR, with special reference to Strongyloides infection

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 1998 Dec;29(4):717-22.

Abstract

To estimate the current prevalence of intestinal helminth infection in Lao PDR, a parasitological survey was conducted in three villages in Khammouane Province in December 1996, with special reference to Strongyloides infection. A total of 669 fecal samples were collected in the villages and examined by agar-plate culture method and Kato-Katz thick smear method. Intestinal helminths were demonstrated in 82% of the samples as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides (30.5%), Trichuris trichiura (23.7%), hookworm (28.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (19.0%), Enterobius vermicuralis (3.4%), Opisthorchis viverrini (56.7%) and Taenia sp (3.0%). The infection rates of S. stercoralis were 27.5% and 18.4% in two rural villages, but only 9.4% in an urban village. The highest prevalence rate of Strongyloides infection was obtained in the age group from 20 to 29 years old, although the infection rate already reached 10% in the age group under 10 years old. The prevalence was consistently higher in male subject than females in almost all age groups.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Helminthiasis / epidemiology*
  • Helminthiasis / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Laos / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Distribution
  • Strongyloidiasis / epidemiology*