"New protozoal parasites" Causing diarrhoeal syndrome in humans

This article will serve as a medium to sensitize laboratory and medical personnel that these parasites do exist and that several diagnostic methods are presently available (at CAREC) for their detection(AU)

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Trinidad: a case study

The present paper describes the identification of Leishmania which was subsequently cultured in the laboratory. This is the first time that Leishmania parasites have been cultured in a laboratory in Trinidad, West Indies (AU)

A community study of parasites, nutritional status and housing in young Jamaican children - abstract

Parasitic infections may contribute to gastoenteritis and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) both important problems among young Caribbean children. We conducted an epidemiological study of the prevalence of parasitic infestation and its association with the environment and nutritional status of preschool age children in a poor Kingston neighbourhood. The sample comprised all the 145 children (6 -36 months old) in a defined area. There were equal numbers of boys and girls and in each of 5 age groups (6 - 11, 12 - 17, 18 -23, 24 -29, 30 -36 months). Single stool specimens were examined for helminth ova and protozoan cysts using the formolether method, with iodine staining for light microscopy. The children's weights and heights were measured and their guardians were interviewed about their housing, sanitation and social background. Thirty-four per cent of the children were infested with 1 - 5 organisms: Trichuris, 21 percent, Ascaris, 18 percent, with generally low - moderate loads (< 5,000 ova/500 mg stool). Giardia occurred in 12.6 percent with very few other protozoans (E. coli, 4.2 percent, C.mesnili, 2.1 percent and E. nana, 0.7 percent). The peak prevalence (70 percent) was among 30-36 month-olds, age being significantly positively associated with the presence of parasites (p 0.001). The infested children had significantly poorer sanitation and water facilities (p<0.05) and their parents had a lower educational level (p<0.05) than the non-infested. Sixty-one (42.9 percent) children had some degree of undernutrition with 13(9.1 percent)moderately - severly malnourished. Single stool specimens probably underestimated the true point prevalence and load of parasitic infestations. There was a significant positive association between nutritional status and the presence of parasites in this study, However, undernutrition occurred most often among young toddlers (12 - 17 months) and parasitic infestation among 30 - 36 month-olds. This suggests that parasitic infestation did not play an important role in the aetiology of PEM in this community (AU)

Laboratory and field trials of a slow-release copper molluscicide in St. Lucia

Tests of a slow-release molluscicide containing 50 percent copper sulfate were undertaken in laboratory and field situations in St. Lucia. In laboratory trials, a granule form of the molluscicide produced 100 percent mortality of Biomphalaria glabrata down to 4 mg.liter active ingredient (a.i), while the pellet form produced 100 percent mortality down to 8 mg/liter a.i. In field trials, a dose of 100 mg/liter a.i. in granule form caused mortality of B. glabrata in banana drains but had no effect on B. glabrata populations in a marsh habitat. In both habitats, the dose of 100mg/liter produced mortality of other molluscan fauna which caused changes in the molluscan diversity indices. This failure in field trials may have been due to dilution of copper levels caused by flooding and also by uptake of copper by mud and algae (AU)

The effectiveness of C1-433 versus entero-vioform in the control of diarrhoeal disease

The data indicate that CI-433 was as well accepted as entero-vioform. A comparison between CI-433 and entero-vioform on day 5 for control of diarrhoea indicated no significant difference in the average consistency of stools or in the average number of stools. However, on day 10, entero-vioform showed a better average consistency in stools and also a smaller average number ofstools per day. Stool examination on day 5 for the two medication groups showed CI-433 had eliminated E.histolytica in a higher proportion of patients than did entero-vioform; CI-433 eliminated G.lamblia in the same proportion of patients as, entero-vioform; and CI-433 eliminated less in Shigella patients than entero-vioform. On day 10 entero-vioform, when compared to CI-433 (day 5), was slightly more effective in the elimination of E.histolytica, G.lamblia and Shigella (AU)