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Reh L, Muadica AS, Köster PC, Balasegaram S, Verlander NQ, Chércoles ER, Carmena D. Substantial prevalence of enteroparasites Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. in asymptomatic schoolchildren in Madrid, Spain, November 2017 to June 2018. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 24. [PMID: 31662160 PMCID: PMC6820128 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.43.1900241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundProtozoan enteroparasites Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis are major contributors to the burden of gastrointestinal illness in children globally, whereas the stramenopile Blastocystis species has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome and skin disorders.AimTo investigate the carriage of these parasites in voluntary asymptomatic schoolchildren (4‒14 years) in 12 different primary and secondary schools in Leganés (Madrid, Spain).MethodsIn a prospective cross-sectional study, stool samples and epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating schoolchildren. Detection of enteric parasites was conducted by PCR-based methods and confirmed by sequence analysis. We calculated prevalence and odds ratios (OR) with logistic regression.ResultsStool samples and questionnaires were provided by 1,359 schoolchildren from 12 schools. The individual prevalence for any parasite was 28%; Blastocystis sp.: 13%; G. duodenalis: 18%; Cryptosporidium spp.: 1%. Two schoolchildren were infected with all three species and 53 with two species. Multivariable risk factor analysis using logistic regression models indicated that an existing infection with one parasite increased the odds for an additional infection with another parasite. The odds of Blastocystis sp. carriage increased up to the age of 10 years and being female increased the odds of Cryptosporidium spp. infection. Washing vegetables before preparing a meal was protective for Blastocystis sp. infection.ConclusionWe detected a larger than expected proportion of asymptomatic cases in the participanting schoolchildren. Further investigation of asymptomatic children should be considered. Good hygiene measures should be encouraged for individuals of all ages to protect from protozoal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Reh
- These authors contributed equally.,European Program for Public Health Microbiology Training, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden.,Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aly Salimo Muadica
- These authors contributed equally.,Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pamela Carolina Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sooria Balasegaram
- Field Epidemiology Services, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neville Q Verlander
- Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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