Abstract

ARIAS, Jonathan Andrés et al. Prevalence of intestinal Protozoa in79 Children 2 to 5 years old from a state nursery in Circasia, Quindío. Infect. [online]. 2010, vol.14, n.1, pp.31-38. ISSN 0123-9392.

Introduction: Intestinal parasites are a public health problem in developing countries, and they affect individuals of all ages and sexes; nevertheless they are frequent in early childhood. At present, the most reported intestinal parasite conditions in Quindío are giardiasis, caused by Giardia intestinalis (G. lamblia or G.duodenalis), and blastocystosis caused by Blastocystis sp. Objective: The objective is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children 2 to 5 years old at a State nursery in Circasia, Quindio. Materials and methods: Three fecal samples per child were collected from 79 children following informed consent from their legal guardians. Microscopic and macroscopic laboratory test were made using 1 % Lugol, 0,8 % saline solution, saline-eosin solution and concentration techniques with formaldehyde-ether (Ritchie.) Results: In the three fecal samples, the pathogen parasites had the following prevalence: Blastocystis sp 49,4 %, 57 % and 64,6 % Giardia lamblia 16,5 %, 22,8 % and 15,2 %; and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 5,1 %, 5,1 % and.1>,3 % respectively. Conclusions: This study shows a high frequency of protozoa parasites, Blastocystis sp being the most prevalent. Re-infection in children was detected during the study.

Keywords : blastocystosis; giardiasis; parasites; pre-school; prevalence; protozoa.

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