A comparative socio-epidemiological study of families with Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli and Trichuris trichiura
Engbaek, K.; Larsen, S.O.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 141(17): 1128-1131
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 571638 Document Number: 139626
In Denmark, an epidemiological study was carried out on families with infections of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli and Trichuris trichiura. Infection with E. coli was not associated with the use of water from wells or the type of domestic animals kept by the families. Families living in poor social conditions had higher rates of infection than those of a higher social status. There was a marked familial accumulation of E. coli but not of G. lamblia infection, suggesting that although E. coli is spread within families, G. lamblia is transmitted more frequently outside families. Giardiasis is also more transient since after 2.5 years only about 15% of G. lamblia infections could be demonstrated again, whereas about 50% of E. coli infections persisted. In Denmark, an epidemiological study was carried out on families with infections of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli and Trichuris trichiura. Significantly more T. trichiura infections were found in boys than in girls, probably due to a greater contact with contaminated soil by boys during play. In the group of families with trichuriasis there were significantly fewer families with domestic animals (pigs, cattle, horses) than in the group without infection. It is suggested that the higher content of organic manure in the soil around farms with such domestic animals may inhibit the development of T. trichiura eggs and thus prevent the spread of infection. [From English summary].