Publication: Intestinal parasitic infections and environmental water contamination in a rural village of northern Lao PDR
Issued Date
2017-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
17380006
00234001
00234001
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85033362958
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Korean Journal of Parasitology. Vol.55, No.5 (2017), 523-532
Suggested Citation
Alexis Ribas, Chloé Jollivet, Serge Morand, Boupha Thongmalayvong, Silaphet Somphavong, Chern Chiang Siew, Pei Jun Ting, Saipin Suputtamongkol, Viengsaene Saensombath, Surapol Sanguankiat, Boon Huan Tan, Phimpha Paboriboune, Kongsap Akkhavong, Kittipong Chaisiri Intestinal parasitic infections and environmental water contamination in a rural village of northern Lao PDR. Korean Journal of Parasitology. Vol.55, No.5 (2017), 523-532. doi:10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.523 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/42740
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Title
Intestinal parasitic infections and environmental water contamination in a rural village of northern Lao PDR
Abstract
© 2017, Korean Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine. A field survey studying intestinal parasites in humans and microbial pathogen contamination at environment was performed in a Laotian rural village to identify potential risks for disease outbreaks. A parasitological investigation was conducted in Ban Lak Sip village, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR involving fecal samples from 305 inhabitants as well as water samples taken from 3 sites of the local stream. Water analysis indicated the presence of several enteric pathogens, i.e., Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli H7, E. coli O157: H7, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shigella spp., and enteric adenovirus. The level of microbial pathogens contamination was associated with human activity, with greater levels of contamination found at the downstream site compared to the site at the village and upstream, respectively. Regarding intestinal parasites, the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections were 68.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Eight helminth taxa were identified in fecal samples, i.e., 2 tapeworm species (Taenia sp. and Hymenolepis diminuta), 1 trematode (Opisthorchis sp.), and 5 nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichostrongylids, and hookworms). Six species of intestinal protists were identified, i.e., Blastocystis hominis, Cyclospora spp., Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia. Questionnaires and interviews were also conducted to determine risk factors of infection. These analyses together with a prevailing infection level suggested that most of villagers were exposed to parasites in a similar degree due to limited socio-economic differences and sharing of similar practices. Limited access to effective public health facilities is also a significant contributing factor.