Status of intestinal parasites infection among primary school children in Kampongcham, Cambodia

Korean J Parasitol. 2002 Sep;40(3):153-5. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2002.40.3.153.

Abstract

A survey was made to find the extent of intestinal parasite infection in Kampongcham, Cambodia in February 2002. A total of 251 fecal specimens were collected from Tonlebat primary school children and examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasite was 54.2% (males, 57.3%; females, 50.8%). The infection rate of intestinal helminths by the species were as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides 26.3%, Echinostoma sp. 15.6%, hookworm 6.4%, Opisthorchis sp. 4.0%, Rhabditis sp. 2.4%, and Trichuris trichiura 0.4%. The infection rate of intestinal protozoa were as follows: E. coli 7.6%, G. lamblia 3.2%, I. butschlii 3.2%, and E. histolytica 0.8%. More than two different kinds of parasites were found in 16.7% of the stool samples. All the children infected were treated with albendazole, praziquantel and metronidazole according to parasite species. The results showed that intestinal parasites are highly endemic in this area.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Antiparasitic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cambodia / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / drug therapy
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Intestines / parasitology
  • Male
  • Parasites / isolation & purification
  • Prevalence
  • Schools / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents