ABSTRACT
The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection remains high in developing countries, especially because of geographic and socio-demographic factors. This study aimed to evaluate intestinal parasitic infection, as well as its risk factors, among children aged 36-45 months in a rural area (North Kodi) and an urban area (Kupang) of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Anthropometry, socio-demographic factors and personal hygiene practices were assessed. A total of 214 children participated in the study, and 200 stool samples were collected for intestinal parasite examination. Approximately 30.5% (61/200) of the children were infected with one or more intestinal parasites (67.2%; 41/61 being mono-parasitic infections and 32.8%; 20/61 being poly-parasitic infections). A total of 85 intestinal parasites were detected, consisting of 35.3% (30/85) protozoa and 64.7% (55/85) helminths. The predominant protozoa were Giardia lamblia (43%; 13/30) and Blastocystis spp. (33.3%; 10/30), whereas the predominant helminths were Trichuris trichiura (50.9%; 28/55) and Ascaris lumbricoides (43.6%; 24/55). Moreover, intestinal parasitic infection was associated with rural area (OR 4.5; 95%CI 2.3-8.6); the absence of treatment with deworming drugs (OR 2.56; 95%CI 1.3-5.0); sanitation facilities without a septic tank (OR 4.3; 95%CI 2.1-8.5); unclean water as a source of drinking water (OR 4.67; 95%CI 2.4-9.4); no handwashing practice after defecation (OR 3.2; 95%CI 1.4-7.3); and stunted children (OR 4.4; 95%CI 2.3-8.3). In conclusion, poly-parasitic infections were common in this study. Poor personal hygiene practice and sanitation factors contributed to the high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in 36-45-month-old children in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rotavirus gastroenteritis accounts for significant childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vaccination using RotarixTM (GSK) and RotaTeq® (Merck) was introduced due to the tremendous disease burden. The possibility of asymptomatic infections following vaccinations was poorly understood. This study examined rotavirus cases in post-vaccinated children, their clinical manifestations and the genotypes of isolated strains. METHODS: Stool samples of healthy, vaccinated children under 5 years of age in Surabaya were collected monthly for 1 year between January 2016 and February 2017. Episodes of gastroenteritis were reported, and samples were collected. Rotavirus was identified using multiplex reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, CA). Clinical manifestations were measured using the Vesikari score. The genotype was analyzed by Applied Biosystems (Foster, CA). RESULTS: A total of 109 stool samples were collected from 30 subjects, of which 22 received Rotarix; 8 RotaTeq. Nine out of 109 samples were collected during diarrhea episodes of 8 subjects. Two asymptomatic rotavirus infections were identified by RT-PCR. The genotypes isolated were G1P[8] and G3P[8]. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic rotavirus infections can occur in post-vaccinated children. Strains identified were homologous to serotypes eliciting gastroenteritis in unvaccinated children of the same community.
