Current status of parasitic infections among Pangkor Island community in Peninsular Malaysia
- Author:
Ahmad, A.F.
;
Ngui, R.
;
Muhammad Aidil
;
R., Lim, Y.A.L.
;
Rohela, M.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2014;31(4):836-843
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Limited data is available on the prevalence of parasitic infections among the
island communities in Malaysia with most studies performed between 1960s-1980s. This
study was conducted to determine the current prevalence status of parasitic infections
among communities living in Pangkor Island Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 131 stool and 298
serum samples were collected and subjected to microscopic examination for intestinal protozoa
and helminths and detection of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using commercial ELISA kits
respectively. In addition, thin and thick peripheral blood films were microscopically screened
for the presence of Plasmodium spp. and microfilariae respectively. The overall prevalence
of intestinal parasitic infections among Pangkor Island community was 9.9% (13/131) with T.
trichiura (5.3%) being the most common intestinal parasite detected. Toxoplasmosis was
reported in almost 60% of the community with the seroprevalence being significantly high
among females (64.7%) compared to males (52.8%) (p=0.038). None of those examined samples
were infected with intestinal sarcocystosis, malaria and filariasis. This study revealed that
the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Pangkor Island community has been
greatly reduced compared to that reported 35 years ago. Massive improvements in the
socioeconomic status, personal hygiene, water facilities and sanitation may have contributed
to the low prevalence of parasitic infections in this community. Nevertheless, further studies
still need to be performed to determine the possible risk factors for the high prevalence of
toxoplasmosis in this community.
- Full text:W020150602339960772751.pdf
