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Enteroparasites in children with moderate malnutrition treated in two hospitals in the city of Maracaibo

Abstract:

Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in moderately malnourished children treated at two hospitals in the city of Maracaibo, State of Zulia. Materials and Methods: Eighty- four fecal samples from moderately malnourished children of both sexes between 8 months and 12 years of age, hospitalized in the Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit of the Chiquinquirá Hospital and South General Hospital, Dr. Pedro Iturbe, were analyzed. Each fecal specimen under went a fresh test with saline solution 0.85%, Lugol staining and Ritchie concentrate. Results: An overall prevalence of parasitized children (58%) was observed; 34.52% were female, 23.81% were male. There was a predominance of monoparasitism 57.14%. Regarding the age group, the 3 to 6 stratum was most heavily parasitized (30. 95%). The •2 revealed a significant relation ship between parasitism and age. Species found in the group under study were: Blas to cystis spp. (49. 39%), Giardia intestinalis (21.52%), Entamoeba histolytica / dispar / moshkovskii (11.39%), Entamoeba coli (6.33%) and Trichuris trichiura (6.33%). Conclusions: The results are similar to those obtained in previous research. The high prevalence of protozoa suggests a pattern of direct transmission among the studied population or through consumption of water and /or food. The need to evaluate behaviour related to food hygiene and water supply forth estudied population is proposed.