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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 32(1), 1983, pp. 54-60
Copyright © 1983 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Intestinal Protozoan Infection in a Semicommunal Group

Victoria E. Millet, Mary J. Spencer, Martha R. Chapin, Lynne S. Garcia, Joanne H. Yatabe AND Morgan E. Stewart
Division of Primary Care Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infection Control, Department of Nursing, and Microbiology Section, Clinical Laboratories, Department of Pathology, University of California School of Medicine, and the Division of Epidemiology, University of California School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California 90024

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of protozoan parasites in a large semicommunal group in Los Angeles. Protozoan parasites were observed in 151 (69%) of the 220 group members in the study. Parasites were observed in stool specimens from 105 (76%) of the 138 children and 46 (56%) of the 82 adults. Dientamoeba fragilis was observed in 115 (52%), Giardia lamblia in 50 (23%), Entamoeba histolytica in 9 (4%), and commensals in 61 (28%). Parasitic infection was infrequent in infants less than 1 year old, was demonstrated in 33 (89%) of the 2- to 4-year-olds, 69 (78%) of the 89 school age children 8–15 years of age, and in 46 (56%) of the 82 adults. G. lamblia was most prevalent in children younger than 6 years; whereas D. fragilis was common in all age groups. The fecal-oral route was the most likely means for parasite transmission. Since the group at times serves meals to the public, spread of parasites outside the community is a potential public health problem. Diagnosis of parasitic infection is dependent on optimal stool collection, proper laboratory techniques and trained personnel.

Accepted for publication June 15, 1982.






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Copyright © 1983 by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.