Abstract

We conducted a community cross-sectional survey of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in humans and dogs in four provinces in northern Laos. We collected and tested human and dog fecal samples and analyzed results against sociodemographic data. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm, and Strongyloides stercoralis was 26.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.7-28.4%), 41.5% (95% CI = 38.8-44.1%), 46.3% (95% CI = 43.3-49.0%), and 8.9% (95% CI = 7.4-10.4%), respectively. We observed strong heterogeneity for helminthiasis by ethnicity, province, and wealth status, which coincided with a risk profile demonstrating that Mon-Khmer persons and the poorest households are highly vulnerable. Necator americanus was the dominant hookworm species infecting humans and Ancylostoma ceylanicum was the only Ancylostoma species detected. Hookworm prevalence in village dogs was 94%, and the dominant species was A. ceylanicum. Necator americanus was also detected in dogs. It appears that dogs have a role in human hookworm transmission and warrant further investigation.

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Conlan JV, Khamlome B, Vongxay K, Elliot A, Pallant L, Sripa B, Blacksell SD, Fenwick S, Thompson RC

Institution

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia. james.conlan@foodstandards.gov.au

Source

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 86:4 2012 Apr pg 624-34

MeSH

Adolescent
Adult
Ancylostomatoidea
Animals
Ascariasis
Ascaris lumbricoides
Child
Cohort Studies
Coinfection
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dogs
Environment
Feces
Female
Hookworm Infections
Humans
Laos
Male
Middle Aged
Necator americanus
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Soil
Strongyloides stercoralis
Strongyloidiasis
Trichuris
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22492147