 |
|
Intestinal Parasites in Central American Immigrants in the United States
Steven D. Salas;
Ruth Heifetz, MD;
Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, MD
Arch Intern Med. 1990;150(7):1514-1516.
Abstract
| |
• We describe the results of ova and parasite examinations of 216 Central Americans who were seen at a Los Angeles, Calif, clinic during an 8-month period. Among the 125 immigrants from Central America, intestinal parasitic prevalence was 53%. Pathogens were found in 45% and multiple pathogens in 21%. Of the 91 US born Central American children, parasite prevalence was 14%. Pathogens were found in 12%. The most common pathogens were Trichuris trichiura, Giardia lamblia, and Ascaris lumbricoides. Giardia lamblia was more prevalent in the younger than 5-year-old age group, and helminths were more prevalent in the 6- to 10-year-old age group. No helminths were found in immigrants who had been in the US for more than 3 years. Gastrointestinal symptoms did not correlate with prevalence of parasites. The high prevalence of intestinal parasites supports previous recommendations for screening; decisions for screening should be based on morbidity (probably low), efficacy and safety of treatment (good), and costs.
(Arch Intern Med. 1990;150:1514-1516)
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Community and Family Medicine (Drs Heifetz and Barrett-Connor), University of California School of Medicine–San Diego, La Jolla. Mr Salas is a medical student at the University of California School–San Diego of Medicine, La Jolla.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication January 1,1990.
Reprint requests to the Department of Community and Family Medicine M-028, University of California School of Medicine–San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 (Dr Barrett-Connor).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
RISK OF INTESTINAL HELMINTH AND PROTOZOAN INFECTION IN A REFUGEE POPULATION
GARG et al.
Am J Trop Med Hyg 2005;73:386-391.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Helminths and harmony
Weinstock et al.
Gut 2004;53:7-9.
FULL TEXT
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN IMMIGRANTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A TROPICAL MEDICINE REFERRAL UNIT
LOPEZ-VELEZ et al.
Am J Trop Med Hyg 2003;69:115-121.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Health Status of Newly Arrived Refugee Children in Miami-Dade County, Florida
Entzel et al.
AJPH 2003;93:286-288.
FULL TEXT
Intestinal Nematode Infection Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in Mice
Khan et al.
Infect. Immun. 2002;70:5931-5937.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Does the failure to acquire helminthic parasites predispose to Crohn's disease?
ELLIOTT et al.
FASEB J. 2000;14:1848-1855.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Cost Effectiveness of Strategies for the Treatment of Intestinal Parasites in Immigrants
Muennig et al.
NEJM 1999;340:773-779.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Health Status of Pediatric Refugees in Buffalo, NY
Meropol
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1995;149:887-892.
ABSTRACT
|
