Prevalence of Helminthic Infections among Inhabitants of Lao PDR.
- Author:
Keeseon S EOM
1
;
Tai Soon YONG
;
Woon Mok SOHN
;
Jong Yil CHAI
;
Duk Young MIN
;
Han Jong RIM
;
Hyeong Kyu JEON
;
Virasack BANOUVONG
;
Bounnaloth INSISIENGMAY
;
Bounlay PHOMMASACK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords: Opisthorchis viverrini; foodborne trematode; intestinal helminth; liver fluke; minute intestinal fluke; Lao PDR
- MeSH: Animals; Feces/parasitology; Female; Helminthiasis/*epidemiology/*parasitology; Helminths/classification/*isolation & purification; Humans; Intestinal Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology; Laos/epidemiology; Male; Parasite Egg Count; Prevalence
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology 2014;52(1):51-56
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: The prevalence of helminthic infections was surveyed on a total of 6,178 residents (males 2,549 and females 3,629) in 102 villages of 9 provinces in Lao PDR between 2007 and 2011 under the project of Korea-Laos Collaborative Project for Control of Foodborne Trematode Infections in Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected and examined by the Kato-Katz thick smear and Stoll's egg counting techniques. The overall liver/intestinal helminth egg positive rate was 71.9% with a single or mixed infections with Opisthorchis viverrini and minute intestinal flukes (Ov/MIF), Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, Trichuris trichiura, Trichostrongylus sp., echinostomes, Taenia spp., and others. Ov/MIF revealed the highest prevalence (55.6%) followed by hookworms (27.8%) and T. trichiura (6.5%). The endemic regions with the highest prevalence of Ov/MIF were Savannakhet, Khammouane, Vientiane (Nam Ngum), Champasak (Khong Island), and Saravane Province. High prevalences of A. lumbricoides (33.8%), hookworms (47.8%), and T. trichiura (32.6%) were observed in Phongsaly, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane (Nam Ngum) areas, respectively. The results of this study highlight helminth parasites of current public health significance in different areas of Lao PDR.
