Prevalence of intestinal Protozoa in children of different ages in the children's institutions of the Lenin district of Moscow
Akimova, R.F.; Solov'ev, M.M.; Tolmazova, A.P.
Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 46(4): 466-472
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8326 PMID: 562976 Document Number: 115956
The prevalence of intestinal protozoa was studied in 1798 children aged 9 mo.-18 yr attending children's institutions of Moscow [USSR]. Most frequently found species were Lamblia intestinalis (18.3%), Entamoeba coli (7.1%) and Endolimax nana (4.4%). The infestation rate with amoebae increased gradually reaching 10% in children of 9 yr and older; in all age-groups it depended upon the risk of exposure. The rate of infestation with Lamblia increased up to 3 yr of age (42%), by 4-5 yr it declined to 14-19% and remained at this level till 7-9 yr and more. The duration of attendance at a children's institution influenced the infestation rate with Lamblia only in the age group under 3 yr. The decline of lamblial infestation rate after 3 years of age may be due to acquired relative resistance to Lamblia conditioned by the age physiology.