Frequency and significance of parasitic infections in refugees from vietnam
Picher, O.; Aspöck, H.
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 130(5): 190-193
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5341 PMID: 7395245 Document Number: 157434
In the course of the medical care which is provided for the refugees from Southeast Asia 100 persons were tested for intestinal parasites (helminths and protozoa). In addition serum samples were obtained from 72 of these and tested in several tests (CFT, FAT, IHA and SFT) using antigens of Entamoeba histolytica, Leishmania donovani, Toxoplasma gondii, Schistosoma spp., Fasciola hepatica, Echinococcus spp., Trichinella spiralis and Litomosoides carinii. In 49 persons infections with one, two or even three species of intestinal helminths were detected (helminthic index: 63%). In detail the following infection-rates were found: Ascaris lumbricoides 41%, Trichuris trichiura 11%, Ancylostoma spp. 10% and Clonorchis sinensis 1%. Besides infections with apathogenic protozoa (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmani, Dientamoeba fragilis, Endolimax nana, Jodamoeba buetschlii and Blastocystis hominis) infections with Entamoeba histolytica were found in 3% and with Lamblia intestinalis in 4%. The results of the serological tests did not reveal any acute infection with any of the extraintestinal parasites mentioned above, although some of the low titres may reflect old infections. In particular it is surprising that none of the sera reacted against Toxoplasma gondii in dilutions higher than 1 : 16. The results are discussed with respect to risks for the health of the refugees themselves and of the indigenous population.