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Prevalence of intestinal coccidia and microsporidia in an indigenous community, state of Zulia, Venezuela

Abstract:

In order to determine the prevalence of intestinal coccidia and micro sporidia, fecal samples from individuals of an indigenous community in Perijá, State of Zulia, Venezuela, were studied. One- hundred seventy- two (172) fecal samples from people of both genders between 1 month and 86 years of age were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic examination with physiological saline, Lugol and formalin- ether concentration. Only 145 under went Kinyoun and gram-chromotrope stains. The following species were identified: Cystoisospora belli in 3 individuals (2.07%); Cryptosporidium spp. in 2 cases (1.38%); Cyclospora cayetanensis in 1 case (0.69%); and microsporidia spores in 5 people (3.45%). Most of those in fected with coccidia and intestinal microsporidia (9/11) had associations with other parasitic species, mainly protozoa. A high percent age (54.54%) of the coccidian and microsporidia carriers provided samples of diarrheal and liquid consistency with mucus and were persons included in risk groups (children and elderly). Results emphasize the need for diagnosis by special stains for intestinal coccidia and microsporidia, even in immunocompetent and low- risk individuals, such as the indigenous studied.