Intestinal parasitosis in French West Indies: endemic evolution from 1991 to 2003 in the University Hospital of Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe
Nicolas, M.; Perez, J.M.; Carme, B.
Bulletin de la Societe de Pathologie Exotique 99(4): 254-257
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9085 PMID: 17111973 Document Number: 603987
Guadeloupe is a part of the French West Indies, where, until 1960, intestinal parasitic infections have been endemic. In the microbiological laboratory of the university hospital of the island, a retrospective study of the 17 660 faecal samples received during 1991-2003 was conducted. All the faecal specimens were examined using a wet mount preparation and a concentration method (Bailenger). Specific techniques such as Ziehl-Neelsen modified acid fast stain, chromotrope staining procedure or Baermann's technique were used when indicated. A parasite considered as highly pathogenic was detected in only 5.6% of the 17 660 faecal specimens examined. Among the protozoans detected (10.8%), Giardia intestinalis (60%) was the most common, followed by Cryptosporidium sp. (26%) and Isospora belli in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, while Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was rarely detected (2.3%). Among the parasitic intestinal helminths, Strongyloides stercoralis was the most prevalent (82%) whereas hookworms and Trichuris trichuria were detected in 9.8% and 5.6% of faecal samples, respectively. None of the samples were positive for Schistosoma mansoni. Changes in intestinal parasitic infection epidemiology were a result of the improvement in socioeconomic status and sanitation.