Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Environmental Water Contamination in a Rural Village of Northern Lao PDR.

Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Environmental Water Contamination in a Rural Village of Northern Lao PDR. Korean J Parasitol. 2017 Oct;55(5):523-532 Authors: Ribas A, Jollivet C, Morand S, Thongmalayvong B, Somphavong S, Siew CC, Ting PJ, Suputtamongkol S, Saensombath V, Sanguankiat S, Tan BH, Paboriboune P, Akkhavong K, Chaisiri K Abstract A field survey studying intestinal parasites in humans and microbial pathogen contamination at environment was performed in a Laotian rural village to identify potential risks for disease outbreaks. A parasitological investigation was conducted in Ban Lak Sip village, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR involving fecal samples from 305 inhabitants as well as water samples taken from 3 sites of the local stream. Water analysis indicated the presence of several enteric pathogens, i.e., Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli H7, E. coli O157: H7, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shigella spp., and enteric adenovirus. The level of microbial pathogens contamination was associated with human activity, with greater levels of contamination found at the downstream site compared to the site at the village and upstream, respectively. Regarding intestinal parasites, the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections were 68.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Eight helminth taxa were identified in fecal samples, i.e., 2 tapeworm species (Taenia sp. and Hymenolepis diminuta), 1 trematode (Opisthorchis sp.), and 5 nematod...
Source: Korean Journal of Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Tags: Korean J Parasitol Source Type: research