Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal protozoan infection among symptomatic and asymptomatic populations in rural and urban areas of southern Algeria

BMC Infectious Diseases

Marawan A. Abu-Madi¹  Djamel Baroudi²  Soumia Sebaa³  Ahcene Hakem⁴  Jerzy M. Behnke⁵ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU-Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar;Food Hygiene Laboratory Quality Analysis System, National Veterinary School, Algiers, Algeria;Laboratory of Exploration and Valorization of Steppic Ecosystems, Faculty SNV, University of Ziane Achour, 17000, Djelfa, Algeria;Laboratory of Exploration and Valorization of Steppic Ecosystems, Faculty SNV, University of Ziane Achour, 17000, Djelfa, Algeria;Research Center in Agropastoralism, Moudjbara Road, 17000, Djelfa, Algeria;School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK;

关键词: Intestinal parasites;    Symptomatic;    Asymptomatic;    Animal contact;    Rural areas;    Temporal changes;    Algeria;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-021-06615-5

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide and have been identified as one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality among disadvantaged populations. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and to identify the significant risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in Laghouat province, Southern Algeria.MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 623 symptomatic and 1654 asymptomatic subjects. Structured questionnaires were used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected and examined using direct wet mount, formalin-ether concentration, xenic in vitro culture and staining methods.ResultsA highly significant difference of prevalence was found between symptomatic (82.3%) and asymptomatic subjects (14.9%), with the majority attributable to protozoan infection. The most common species in the symptomatic subjects were Blastocystis spp. (43.8%), E. histolytica/dispar (25.4%) and Giardia intestinalis (14.6%) and more rarely Enterobius vermicularis (02.1%), Teania spp. (0.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.2%), while in asymptomatic population Blastocystis spp. (8%), Entamoeba coli (3.3%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (2.5%) were the most common parasites detected with no case of helminth infection. Multivariate log-linear analysis showed that contact with animals was the main risk factor for transmission of these protozoa in both populations. Furthermore, living in rural areas was significantly associated with combined protozoan infection in the asymptomatic population, whereas, in the symptomatic population an increasing trend of protozoan infection was detected in the hot season. In addition, Blastocystis spp. and G. intestinalis infection were found to be associated with host sex and contact with animals across the study period.ConclusionsBased on these results, several strategies are recommended in order to effectively reduce these infections including good animal husbandry practices, health education focused on good personal hygiene practices and adequate sanitation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY