Intestinal protozoan and helminth infections in the Municipality San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río, Cuba

Trop Doct. 2007 Oct;37(4):236-8. doi: 10.1258/004947507782332991.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and the intensity of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among children who attend the educational centres of San Juan y Martinez, Cuba. Ascaris lumbricoides, Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia were the most common parasites found, with prevalence rates of 40.5%, 38.5% and 25%, respectively. In total, 91% of children harboured at least one type of intestinal parasite. The rates and intensity of intestinal parasitic infections found permit us to speculate that the conditions that predispose to acquire intestinal protozoan and STH infections persist in this municipality.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child Day Care Centers
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cuba / epidemiology
  • Eukaryota / classification
  • Eukaryota / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Nematoda / classification
  • Nematoda / isolation & purification*
  • Nematode Infections / epidemiology*
  • Nematode Infections / parasitology
  • Prevalence
  • Protozoan Infections / epidemiology*
  • Protozoan Infections / parasitology
  • Schools
  • Soil / parasitology

Substances

  • Soil