Intestinal parasitism in schoolchildren in 2005, 2006 and 2007: A real challenge to overcome by the national deworming campaign in Northwestern Mexico

Introduction: Intestinal parasitism has been a challenge to overcome for the Mexican deworming campaign and this study determined the prevalence of these infections in schoolchildren treated with albendazole in Northwestern Mexico. Methods: Study sites in marginal conditions, with gastrointestinal infections and albendazole intervention were selected. The Faust and Kato Katz techniques were used to identify the parasites spp. and the NCSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 450, 389 and 364 schoolchildren participated in 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively during this study. The mean age was 7.9 (±1.3). The estimated prevalences were of 42%, 30% and 37% for protozoa infections, and 11%, 12% and 11% for helminth infections in 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively. Conclusion: The education strategies should be integrated into the Mexican deworming campaign.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum and other zoonotic canine hookworms:neglected public and animal health risks in the Asia-Pacific region

Zoonotic hookworm infections remain a significant public health problem,causing nearly 500 milion cases globally and approximately four million disability-adjusted life years lost annually.More than one-fth of these cases are attrib-uted to Ancylostoma ceylanicum,an emerging zoonotic health issue in the Asia-Pacific region.This review presents key research gaps regarding the epidemiology,diagnosis,control,prevention and elimination of A.ceylanicum and other canine zoonotic hookworms as neglected health threats.A.ceylanicum is the second most prevalent human hook-worm in the region;it is the most common hookworm among dogs and cats-reservoirs of zoonotic infections.Previous population genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that A.ceylanicum has three possible transmis-sion dynamics:zoonotic,animal-only,and human-only pathways.The actual burden of zoonotic ancylostomiasis in most endemic countries remains unknown due to the use of parasitological techniques(e.g.,Kato-Katz thick smear and floatation techniques)that have reduced diagnostic performance and do not allow accurate species identifica-tion in helminth surveys.The emergence of benzimidazole resistance in soil-transmitted helminths(STHs),includ-ing hookworms,is a concern due to the protracted implementation of mass drug administration(MDA).Resistance is conferred by single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)that occur in theβ-tubulin isotype 1 gene.These mutations have been reported in drug-resistant A.caninum but have not been found in A.ceylanicum in the field.A.ceylanicum remains understudied in the Asia-Pacific region.The zoonotic nature of the parasite warrants investigation of its occur-rence in human and animal reservoir hosts to understand the dynamics of zoonotic transmission in different endemic foci.The detection of benzimidazole resistance-associated SNPs in zoonotic hookworms from Asia-Pacific countries has yet to be thoroughly explored.Considering the high level of hookworm endemicity in the region,the circulation of resistant isolates between humans and animals potentially presents a significant One Health threat that can under-mine current MDA and proposed animal deworming-based control efforts.

Prevalence, Pattern and Risk Factors of Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections amongst Children in a Tertiary Institution in South East, Nigeria

Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) is a common public health challenge of children in the most deprived communities in low income countries. In the long-term, STHI can cause developmental and growth disorders leading to future learning defect. Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among children attending a tertiary hospital in Imo State, Nigeria. Patients and Method: The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 268 children, aged 7 months to 18 years seen in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria;from August to December 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and stool samples were analyzed for intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz method. Results: The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) was 38.4%. Of all STHIs, Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest geohelminth observed, 81 (62.1%). Multiple infections were noted in 25 (62.4%) of the specimen. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst subjects’ 5 - 9 years was high and least in children older than 15 years. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3407). Statistically significant relationship was detected between STHI and low socioeconomic class. Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the subjects is disturbing. This high rate justifies strengthening a structured and routine deworming amongst children in order to improve outcome.

一种移动无线传感器网络抵御虫洞攻击MCL算法

MCL算法作为MWSN的一种经典定位算法,其安全性还欠缺考虑,为了使MCL算法能抵御虫洞攻击,分析了MCL机制及虫洞攻击对MCL性能的影响,在此基础上提出了一种能抵御虫洞攻击的安全MCL算法—Deworm MCL。该算法利用节点的移动性有效识别锚节点信息,剔除掉伪锚节点信息,且不需要额外的硬件支持,也不会增加通信开销。仿真结果表明,该安全定位算法对虫洞攻击具有较好的抵御性;随着算法的收敛,遭受虫洞攻击的MCL性能逐渐恢复正常,在文中的仿真条件下,定位误差从0.45r降到0.4r,定位率从80%提升到90%。

Neglected Rural Public Health Issue:The Case of Intestinal Roundworms

Despite increasing institutional and financial support, certain public health issues are still neglected by the Chinese Government. The present paper examines the soil-transmitted helminth （STH） infection and reinfection rates by conducting a survey on 1724 children in Guizhou Province, China. Our results indicate that 37.5 percent of children had been infected with one or more of the three types of tested STH. However, only 50.4 percent of children reported having taken deworming medicine during the 18-month period before the survey. Of those who reported being dewormed, 34.6 percent tested positive for STH infections. Poverty and number of siblings are significantly and positively correlated with infection and reinfection, and parental education is significantly and negatively correlated with infection and reinfection. Given the ineffectiveness of treatment in these areas to date, for anthelminthic campaigns to actually succeed, China must pay more attention to local- level incentives to improve children＇s health.

Epidemiology andinteractions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus - 1 and Schistosoma mansoni in sub-SaharanAfrica

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1/AIDS and Schis tosoma mansoni are widespread in sub Saharan Africa and co-infection occurs commonly.Since the early 1990s,it has been suggested that the two infections may interact and potentiate the effects of each other within co-infected human hosts.Indeed,S mansoni infection has been suggested to be a risk factor for HIV transmission and progression in Africa.If so,it would follow that mass deworming could have beneficial effects on HIV-1 transmission dynamics.The epidemiology of HIV in African countries is changing,shifting from urban to rural areas where the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni is high and public health services are deficient.On the other side,the consequent pathogenesis of HIV-1/S.mansoni co-infection remains unknown.Here we give an account of the epidemiology of HIV-1 and S.mansoni,discuss co-infection and possible biological causal relationships between the two infections,and the potential impact of praziquantel treatment on HIV-1 viral loads,CD4^(+) counts and CD4^(+)/CD8^(+) ratio.Our review of the available literature indicates that there is evidence to support the hypothesis that S.mansoni infections can influence the replication of the HIV-1,cel-to-cell transmission,as well as increase HIV progression as measured by reduced CD4^(+) T lymphocytes counts.If so,then deworming of HIV positive individuals living in endemic areas may impact on HV-1 viral loads and CD4^(+) T lymphocyte counts.

Impact of single annual treatment and four-monthly treatment for hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides,and factors associated with residual infection among Kenyan school children

Background:School-based deworming is widely implemented in various countries to reduce the burden of soil-transmitted helminths(STHs),however,the frequency of drug administration varies in different settings.In this study,we compared the impact of a single annual treatment and 4-monthly treatment over a follow-up among Kenyan school children,and investigated the factors associated with residual infection.Methods:We performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial investigating whether deworming for STHs alters risk of acquiring malaria.Children received either a single treatment or 4-monthly albendazole treatments were followed longitudinally from February 2014 to October 2014.The relative impact of treatment and factors associated with residual infections were investigated using mixed-effects regression models.Predisposition to infection was assessed based on Spearman’s rank and Kendall’s Tau correlation coefficients.Results:In the 4-monthly treatment group,the proportion of children infected with hookworm decreased from 59.9 to 5.7%,while Ascaris lumbricoides infections dropped from 55.7 to 6.2%.In the single treatment group,hookworm infections decreased over the same time period from 58.7 to 18.3%(12.6%absolute difference in reduction,95%CI:8.9-16.3%),and A.lumbricoides from 56.7 to 23.3%(17.1%absolute difference in reduction,95%CI:13.1-21.1%).There was strong evidence for predisposition to both STH types.Residual hookworm infection among children on 4-monthly treatment were associated with male sex and baseline nutritional status,whereas A.lumbricoides infection was associated with individual and school-level infection at baseline,latrine cleanliness at schools.Conclusions:This study found that 4-monthly treatment w more effective than single annual treatment.Repeated treatments led to dramatic reductions in the intensities of STHs,but did not completely clear infections among school children in Kenya,a presumed reflection of reinfection in a setting where there is ongoing transmission.

Community perceptions of massdrug administration for soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis in selected schools in the Philippines

Background:Soil-transmitted helminthiasis(STH)and schistosomiasis are parasitic infections prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries,such as the Philippines.The prevalence of these infections remain high in certain Philippine provinces,despite established mass drug administration(MDA)programs in endemic communities.This study aimed to understand community knowledge and perceptions of these infections to determine their implications on the current control and elimination strategies,including possible barriers to MDA compliance.Methods:The study was conducted in Northern Samar and Sorsogon,two provinces with the highest STH and schistosomiasis prevalence in the country.Focus group discussions with separate parent and children groups were utilized to gather knowledge and perceptions on STH and schistosomiasis causes,symptoms,treatment,and prevention;and on the deworming drugs and overall program implementation.Data collection in Northern Samar were done in August 2017,while the sessions in Sorsogon took place in May 2018.A cultural construction of disease framework will show how several factors affect MDA participation.Results:Results showed that participants held mostly correct biomedical notions of the infections and expressed willingness to participate in MDA program.However,reservations remained due to a reported lack of information dissemination,lack of confidence in the drugs used,and widespread fear of adverse side effects.Conclusion:Addressing these concerns-improving the conduct of the deworming program,incorporating suggestions from the community,and managing potential adverse events-may help raise MDA participation and encourage better personal preventive practices,reducing STH and schistosomiasis prevalence.