The prevalence of parasitism in preschool Americans in the Philippines.

One hundred and two American children living at Clark Air Base in the Philippines had stools tested for parasites. Seven (6.9%) were positive, isolating Ascaris (3), Giardia (3), and Tricuris (2), but no correlation was found in sex, race, or place of residence. Fourteen children whose parents felt they had symptoms of parasites tested negative. When stationed overseas in a parasite-endemic area, parents worry about their children acquiring parasites, but we were able to confirm a low prevalence in American dependents. Our data does not support mass screening for, or mass treatment of, parasites in this population group.