Korean J Parasitol.  2004 Sep;42(3):121-127. 10.3347/kjp.2004.42.3.121.

Epidemiological survey of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis hominis in an Argentinian rural community

• Minvielle
• Pezzani BC
• Cordoba MA
• de Luca MM
• Apezteguia MC
• Basualdo J

• KMID: 662782
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2004.42.3.121

Abstract

The aim of this study was to relate personal data, socio-cultural and environmental characteristics, and the presence of symptoms/signs with the frequencies of Giardia spp. and Blastocystis hominis among a rural population in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Of the surveyed population (350), 3.7% were infected with only Giardia spp. or 22.9% with B. hominis, and 2.3% were infected with both protozoa. The frequency of infection according to sex; 6.1% of males were infected and 1.6% of females by Giardia spp., 26.7% and 19.5% by B. hominis, and 2.4% and 2.2% by both parasites, respectively. Giardia spp. was detected in only three adults (over 14 years), but B. hominis was more frequent in adults than in children. The prevalences of these protozoa in this community are lower than those reported by other Argentinean studies, which is probably associated with the low density of the studied population (5.95 inhab/km2). Statistical analysis revealed that a male sex, flooding of the home, the use of a latrine, and an abdominal pain were correlated with the presence of these parasites, which indicate the importance of these factors in rural communities.

Keyword

Giardia spp; Blastocystis hominis; epidemiology; rural community; Argentina

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Animals
Argentina/epidemiology
Blastocystis Infections/*epidemiology
Blastocystis hominis/*isolation & purification
Child
Feces/parasitology
Female
Giardia/isolation & purification
Giardiasis/*epidemiology
Health Surveys
Humans
Hygiene
Male
Population Density
Prevalence
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Rural Population
Sex Factors