Molecular detection of intestinal helminths and protozoa among young children in Dosso Region, Niger

Gates Open Research

article

Kristen Aiemjoy¹  Ahmed M. Arzika²  Catherine Cook³  Elodie Lebas³  Nils Pilotte⁴  Jessica R. Grant⁴  Steven A. Williams⁴  Thomas M. Lietman³  Jeremy D. Keenan³ 

[1] Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine;The Carter Center;Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco;Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College;Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts

关键词: Schistosoma;    soil-transmitted helminths;    protozoa;    molecular diagnostics;   

DOI  :  10.12688/gatesopenres.13124.2

学科分类：电子与电气工程

来源: American Journal Of Pharmtech Research

【 摘 要 】

Eukaryotic parasites are significant contributors to childhood illness in Niger. While helminthiases have received national attention through mass deworming efforts, the epidemiology of intestinal protozoa in Niger remains underexamined. This study employed real-time PCR diagnostics to describe the prevalence of two schistosomes, four soil-transmitted helminths, and one protozoan parasite in Boboye Department, Dosso Region. Prevalence was assessed using bulk stool specimens collected from a population-based sample of 86 children residing in 9 communities. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate child growth z-scores and stool consistency was graded. Helminths were absent from the study population, with the exception of a single Schistosoma haematobium infection (1/86; 1.2%). Giardia duodenalis was the only protozoa present, detected in 65% (56/86) of children. Prevalence of G. duodenalis peaked in 2-year-olds with 88% (15/17) positivity. The population was generally undernourished, though growth indices did not differ significantly between children with and without G. duodenalis infection.

【 授权许可】

CC BY