Protozoarios intestinales en escolares adscritos a instituciones públicas y privadas del municipio Maracaibo-estado Zulia

• Main Authors: Acurero O Ellen, Ávila L Ayari, Rangel M Lisbeth, Calchi Marinella, Grimaldos O Rian, Cotiz C Mariela
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Universidad del Zulia,Facultad de Medicina,Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales 2013
• Subjects: Parasitosis; Escolares; Prevalencia; Enteroparásitos; school; prevalence; intestinal parasites; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/d4c80376dacf454b9309f8e0d8da7cc7

Abstract: Objetive: To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa in school children at public and private institutions in the Maracaibo Municipality, State of Zulia. Materials and Methods: One- hundred thirty-three (133) fecal samples were analyzed from school children of both sexes, 6 to 14 years old, attending public schools and private educational establishments. For each school child, a stool sample was analyzed by direct coproparasitologic examination using saline 0.85%, temporary lugol coloration and the formol-ether concentration method. Results: A predominance of parasitized children was observed in public institutions (39.8)%, while private institutions evidenced 17.3%. Polyparasitism in children attending public schools was 41.3%, exceeding the result obtained for private institutions, which was 22.7%. Protozoan species found were: Blastocystis sp in both public and private school populations (50% and 59%, respectively); Giardia intestinalis (41% in private institutions and 13% in government schools). Other protozoa observed were: Endolimax nana (19%), Entamoeba coli (9%) and complex Entamoeba histolytica / Entamoeba dispar (9%); the latter species were observed only in public schools. Relating the variables parasitosis and age groups produced statistically significant results; the most affected group of children was from 10 to 14 years old. Conclusions: The results are similar to those obtained from previous research in schools. The high prevalence of protozoa suggests a direct transmission pattern among the studied population either through water consumption and/or fecally contaminated food. This raises the need to evaluate behavior in food hygiene and water supply. Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de protozoarios intestinales en escolares adscritos a instituciones públicas y privadas del municipio Maracaibo, Estado Zulia. Materiales y Métodos: Se analizaron 133 muestras fecales de escolares de uno y otro sexo, provenientes de escuelas públicas y unidades educativas privadas con ...