Bancroftian filariasis in an endemic area of Brazil: differences between genders during puberty

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife¹  Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife¹  Braga, Cynthia¹  London University, London, UK¹  Alexander, Neal¹  Dourado, Inês¹  Ximenes, Ricardo¹  Miranda, Janaína¹  Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador¹ 

关键词: Filariasis;    Gender differences;    Puberty;    Risk factors;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0037-86822005000300003

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

【 摘 要 】

Gender differences in susceptibility to infectious diseases have been observed in various studies. A survey was performed in a bancroftian filariasis endemic area in the city of Olinda, Brazil. All residents aged 5 years or older were examined by thick blood film. People aged 9 to 16 years were interviewed and also tested for filarial antigenaemia. Data were analyzed by contingency table methods and regression models. The risk of microfilaraemia for males was significantly higher. Among those aged 9 to 16 years, the analysis of gender and filariasis by age showed that boys from 15 to 16 years had a higher risk of infection than girls. No association was found between menarche and filariasis in girls. The data suggest that variations between gender in filariasis could result, at least in part, from an increase in susceptibility of men. This epidemiologic feature needs to be considered while formulating elimination plans.

【 授权许可】

Unknown