3 research outputs found
Prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasite infection by HIV infection status among asymptomatic adults in rural Gabon
Introduction: Intestinal parasites infections are endemic in Gabon.
Nevertheless, they are rarely described in people living with HIV
(PLHIV). Objective: The frequency of intestinal parasite infection was
estimated and compared between HIV-positive and HIV uninfected
individuals in Gabon; factors associated with intestinal parasites were
also analysed. Material and Methods: Using a cross-sectional study
design sociodemographic data, life style habits, antiretroviral
therapy, cotrimoxazole use and CD4 cell count were recorded.. Stool
samples from participants living in Koulamoutou and Oyem were analysed
using microscopy. Chi-squared or fisher\u2019s exact tests and
logistic regression were performed. Results: Among participants
(n=332), female gender was predominant (73.7%; n=135/183) and the
median age was 45 [33-57] years old. Among 183 samples, 53.6% (n =
98/183) were infected by intestinal parasites. The proportion was
higher (72.1%) in HIV negative participants compared to PLHIV (42.6%)
(p <0.01). PLHIV were more frequently poly-infected. Infection was
frequent in patients using external toilets and tap water (>70.0%).
Conclusion: Prevalence of intestinal parasites is higher in
seronegative participants but polyparasitism is more frequent in PLHIV.
Strategies are focused on HIV negative population, but this study shows
the importance of sensitization for PLHIV to improve their quality of
life
Prevalence of and risk factors for malaria, filariasis, and intestinal parasites as single infections or co-infections in different settlements of Gabon, Central Africa
Abstract Background Malaria, filariasis, and intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are common and frequently overlap in developing countries. The prevalence and predictors of these infections were investigated in three different settlements (rural, semi-urban, and urban) of Gabon. Methods During cross-sectional surveys performed from September 2013 to June 2014, 451 individuals were interviewed. In addition, blood and stool samples were analysed for the presence of Plasmodium, filarial roundworm, intestinal protozoan, and helminth infections. Results Intestinal parasitic infections (61.1%), including intestinal protozoa (56.7%) and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) (22.2%), predominated, whereas Plasmodium falciparum (18.8%), Loa loa (4.7%), and Mansonella perstans (1.1%) were less prevalent. Filariasis and STHs were mainly found in rural settlements, whereas a higher plasmodial infection prevalence rate was observed in the periurban area. The most common IPI was blastocystosis (48.6%), followed by ascaridiasis (13.7%), trichuriasis (11.8%), amoebiasis (9.3%), giardiasis (4.8%), and strongyloidiasis (3.7%). Hookworm was detected in one adult from rural Dienga. Adults had a higher prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and STHs, whereas Giardia duodenalis was more frequently observed among children aged below 5 years (P < 0.01). The polyparasitism rate was 41.5%, with 7.0% Plasmodium-IPIs and 1.8% Plasmodium-STH co-infections. The multivariate analysis showed that living in a suburban area, belonging to the age group of 5–15 years, having none or a secondary education, or having an open body water close to home were significant risk factors for malaria (P ≤ 0.01). For STH infections, identified risk factors were drinking untreated water and living in a rural area (P ≤ 0.04). No significant predictors were identified for IPIs and malaria-IPI co-infection. Conclusions This study reports a high prevalence of IPIs and intestinal protozoa, but a low rate of malaria-IPI co-infections in the study sites. Improvements in the living conditions of the population such as adequate water supply and proper health education and sanitation should be integrated into control strategies for malaria, STHs, and IPIs