Enteroparasites and commensals among individuals living in rural and urban areas in Abadia dos Dourados, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the enteroparasite and commensal occurrence in inhabitants living in the city of Abadia dos Dourados, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Three hundred and seventy six people were selected at random, 188 living in the rural area and 188 living in the urban area, from January through December of 1996. Using the Lutz method 177 (47.1%) individuals infected: 102 (57.6%) in the rural population and 75 (39.9%) in the urban population (P < 0.05). Of the total 177 enteroparasite and commensal occurrences diagnosed were: Entamoeba coli (18.3%), hookworm (17.8%), Endolimax nana (6.1%), Giardia lamblia (5.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.6%), Entamoeba hartmanni (2.1%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (1.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.3%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.5%), and Trichostrongylus sp (0.5%). Geohelminths were predominant in the rural area, with an occurrence of hookworm infections at 28.2% in these individuals and 7.4% in the urban people (OR: 14.33 CI: 6.230 to 32.970). The infection rate of enteroparasites was high in the population studied. In conclusion, it is necessary to implement regular parasitological exams and education about the forms and consequences of transmitting parasites, primarily among people living in the rural area.