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AuthorSebaa, Soumia
AuthorBehnke, Jerzy M
AuthorBaroudi, Djamel
AuthorHakem, Ahcene
AuthorAbu-Madi, Marawan A
Available date2021-09-12T07:03:13Z
Publication Date2021-08-30
Publication NameBMC Infectious Diseases
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06615-5
CitationSebaa, S., Behnke, J.M., Baroudi, D. et al. Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal protozoan infection among symptomatic and asymptomatic populations in rural and urban areas of southern Algeria. BMC Infect Dis 21, 888 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06615-5
Identifier888
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/23071
AbstractIntestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide and have been identified as one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality among disadvantaged populations. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and to identify the significant risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in Laghouat province, Southern Algeria. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 623 symptomatic and 1654 asymptomatic subjects. Structured questionnaires were used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected and examined using direct wet mount, formalin-ether concentration, xenic in vitro culture and staining methods. A highly significant difference of prevalence was found between symptomatic (82.3%) and asymptomatic subjects (14.9%), with the majority attributable to protozoan infection. The most common species in the symptomatic subjects were Blastocystis spp. (43.8%), E. histolytica/dispar (25.4%) and Giardia intestinalis (14.6%) and more rarely Enterobius vermicularis (02.1%), Teania spp. (0.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.2%), while in asymptomatic population Blastocystis spp. (8%), Entamoeba coli (3.3%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (2.5%) were the most common parasites detected with no case of helminth infection. Multivariate log-linear analysis showed that contact with animals was the main risk factor for transmission of these protozoa in both populations. Furthermore, living in rural areas was significantly associated with combined protozoan infection in the asymptomatic population, whereas, in the symptomatic population an increasing trend of protozoan infection was detected in the hot season. In addition, Blastocystis spp. and G. intestinalis infection were found to be associated with host sex and contact with animals across the study period. Based on these results, several strategies are recommended in order to effectively reduce these infections including good animal husbandry practices, health education focused on good personal hygiene practices and adequate sanitation.
Languageen
PublisherBMC
SubjectAlgeria
Animal contact
Asymptomatic
Intestinal parasites
Rural areas
Symptomatic
Temporal changes
TitlePrevalence and risk factors of intestinal protozoan infection among symptomatic and asymptomatic populations in rural and urban areas of southern Algeria
TypeArticle
Volume Number21
dc.accessType Open Access


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