Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco

Introduction: In 2013 a coproparasitological survey was carried out in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to investigate on possible infection drivers through a questionnaire interview. Methodology: Faecal samples we...

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Main Authors: Fabio Macchioni, Higinio Segundo, Valentina Totino, Simona Gabrielli, Patricia Rojas, Mimmo Roselli, Grover Adolfo Paredes, Mario Masana, Alessandro Bartoloni, Gabriella Cancrini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2016-09-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/7657
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author Fabio Macchioni
Higinio Segundo
Valentina Totino
Simona Gabrielli
Patricia Rojas
Mimmo Roselli
Grover Adolfo Paredes
Mario Masana
Alessandro Bartoloni
Gabriella Cancrini
author_facet Fabio Macchioni
Higinio Segundo
Valentina Totino
Simona Gabrielli
Patricia Rojas
Mimmo Roselli
Grover Adolfo Paredes
Mario Masana
Alessandro Bartoloni
Gabriella Cancrini
author_sort Fabio Macchioni
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: In 2013 a coproparasitological survey was carried out in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to investigate on possible infection drivers through a questionnaire interview. Methodology: Faecal samples were examined by microscopy. Samples positive for Entamoeba histolytica complex and Blastocystis were molecularly examined to identify the species/subtypes involved. Results: The overall infection rate was 86%, identical in both communities and mostly due to protozoa. Soil-transmitted helminths were detected in <3% of children and adults. Discussion: The protozoa detected, including Blastocystis subtypes, indicate faecal contamination of the environment by both humans (as confirmed by the presence of Hymenolepis nana) and animals. Nested-PCR identified E. histolytica, thus signalling the possible occurrence of invasive amoebosis. Lack of safe water, environmental contamination, poor sanitation and hygiene, shared by both communities, are the main drivers of IPIs. In addition, unlike gender and socioeconomic factors, childhood (only for some species), crowding and cohabitation with animals proved to be further significant protozoon infection risk factors. Conclusions: These results highlight the need for the promotion of access to clean water, improved sanitation and better hygiene, thus reducing the frequency of preventive chemotherapy for STHs while continuing to monitor the population for possible recrudescence.
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spelling doaj-art-d2b2625d423c415c8409ec50a81388892025-08-20T03:52:42ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802016-09-01100910.3855/jidc.7657Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian ChacoFabio Macchioni0Higinio Segundo1Valentina Totino2Simona Gabrielli3Patricia Rojas4Mimmo Roselli5Grover Adolfo Paredes6Mario Masana7Alessandro Bartoloni8Gabriella Cancrini9Università degli Studi di Pisa, ItaliaDistrito de Salud Cordillera, Santa Cruz, Camiri, BoliviaUniversità “Sapienza”, Roma, ItaliaUniversità degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, ItaliaDistrito de Salud Cordillera, Santa Cruz, Camiri, BoliviaUniversità degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, ItaliaMinisterio de Salud y Deportes, Programa Nacional de Zoonosis, La Paz, BoliviaOrganización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS), La Paz, BoliviaUniversità degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, ItaliaUniversità “Sapienza”, Roma, ItaliaIntroduction: In 2013 a coproparasitological survey was carried out in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and to investigate on possible infection drivers through a questionnaire interview. Methodology: Faecal samples were examined by microscopy. Samples positive for Entamoeba histolytica complex and Blastocystis were molecularly examined to identify the species/subtypes involved. Results: The overall infection rate was 86%, identical in both communities and mostly due to protozoa. Soil-transmitted helminths were detected in <3% of children and adults. Discussion: The protozoa detected, including Blastocystis subtypes, indicate faecal contamination of the environment by both humans (as confirmed by the presence of Hymenolepis nana) and animals. Nested-PCR identified E. histolytica, thus signalling the possible occurrence of invasive amoebosis. Lack of safe water, environmental contamination, poor sanitation and hygiene, shared by both communities, are the main drivers of IPIs. In addition, unlike gender and socioeconomic factors, childhood (only for some species), crowding and cohabitation with animals proved to be further significant protozoon infection risk factors. Conclusions: These results highlight the need for the promotion of access to clean water, improved sanitation and better hygiene, thus reducing the frequency of preventive chemotherapy for STHs while continuing to monitor the population for possible recrudescence. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/7657humansintestinal parasitesepidemiological driverssoil-transmitted helminthsmolecular diagnosticsBolivia
spellingShingle Fabio Macchioni
Higinio Segundo
Valentina Totino
Simona Gabrielli
Patricia Rojas
Mimmo Roselli
Grover Adolfo Paredes
Mario Masana
Alessandro Bartoloni
Gabriella Cancrini
Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
humans
intestinal parasites
epidemiological drivers
soil-transmitted helminths
molecular diagnostics
Bolivia
title Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco
title_full Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco
title_fullStr Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco
title_full_unstemmed Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco
title_short Intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco
title_sort intestinal parasitic infections and associated epidemiological drivers in two rural communities of the bolivian chaco
topic humans
intestinal parasites
epidemiological drivers
soil-transmitted helminths
molecular diagnostics
Bolivia
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/7657
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