Thiamine deficiency and parasitic infection in rural Thai children
Khampitak, T.; Knowles, J.; Yongvanit, P.; Sithithaworn, P.; Tangrassameeprasert, R.; Boonsiri, P.; Satarug, S.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 37(3): 441-445
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 17120961 Document Number: 604211
The relationship between thiamin deficiency and parasitoses was studied in 231 school children (aged 6-12 years) living in Nam Phong District of Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Blood samples for thiamin status determination were collected in October 1994 (rainy season; pre-drug treatment period) and in March 1995 (dry season; post-treatment period). Intestinal parasitoses were determined by faecal examination. The prevalence of thiamin deficiency (thiamin pyrophosphate effect (TPPE) >20%) was 15.8% (31/196) during the pre-treatment period, and 23.3% (34/146) during the post-treatment period. Of the 212 children tested for parasitoses, 96 (45.3%) were infected with one or more parasites; majority were caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (n=55), followed by hookworms (n=40), Giardia duodenalis (n=28), Opisthorchis viverrini (n=12), and minute intestinal flukes (n=10). No association between thiamin deficiency and parasitosis was found. The general health of the children, according to Thailand's standard anthropometric curves, was within the normal range. The suboptimal thiamin status and the high prevalence of parasitoses require attention.