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Caravedo MA, Morales ML, Tanabe M, Lopez M, White AC, Cabada MM. Demographic Characteristics and Low Iron Status Markers Are Associated with Hemoglobin Levels and Anemia among Children Living at High Elevation in Cusco, Peru. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:1014-1020. [PMID: 38531100 PMCID: PMC11066345 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anemia is a complex condition associated with diet, chronic infections, and blood loss. Children living at high altitudes have higher absolute hemoglobin levels due to hypoxemia. However, they are exposed to repeated infections and dietary limitations. We conducted a cross-sectional study to identify factors affecting the hemoglobin concentration in children living in high-altitude rural communities in the Anta province of Peru. All children 3-16 years of age attending public schools were invited to participate. We enrolled children 3-16 years old in schools and visited their homes to collect demographic, socioeconomic, medical history, and anthropometric data. Children provided blood and stool samples for complete blood counts, iron status markers, and helminth infection testing. Among the 2,000 children enrolled, the mean age was 9.9 (±3.4) years, 1,004 (50.2%) were female, and the median residence altitude was 3,398 (interquartile range 3,35-3,497) meters. The mean hemoglobin level was 15 (±1.15) mg/dL; 320 (16%) had anemia as defined by WHO. Children with anemia were more likely to have lower serum iron levels (odds ratio [OR] 2.8 [95% CI 2.2-3.6], P <0.001) and serum transferrin saturation (OR 2.8 [95% CI 2-3.9], P <0.001). Younger age (OR 0.85 [95% CI 0.82-0.89], P <0.001), stunting (OR 0.68 [95% CI 0.59-0.79], P <0.001), education of the mother (OR 0.94 [95% CI 0.91-0.98], P <0.005), and low eosinophils (OR 0.49 [95% CI 0.26-0.9], P = 0.022) were associated with anemia. Helminth infections were not associated with anemia. Anemia among children at high altitude is multifactorial, but iron deficiency is a contributing factor. Further studies are needed to evaluate iron status and anemia in children living at high altitudes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Caravedo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Maria Luisa Morales
- Sede Cusco – Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco, Peru
| | - Melinda Tanabe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Martha Lopez
- Sede Cusco – Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco, Peru
| | - A. Clinton White
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Miguel M. Cabada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
- Sede Cusco – Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Cusco, Peru
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Gabrielli S, Macchioni F, Spinicci M, Strohmeyer M, Roselli M, Nicoletti A, Cicero CE, Poma V, Rojo D, Lara Y, Gómez EBC, Rojas P, Gamboa H, Villagran AL, Cosmi F, Monasterio J, Cancrini G, Bartoloni A. Long-Standing International Cooperation in Parasitology Research: A Summary of 35 Years of Activities in the Bolivian Chaco. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7100275. [PMID: 36288016 PMCID: PMC9611245 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bolivian Chaco is a semiarid region with a low population density, situated in the southeast part of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Here, despite the improvements of the last 15 years, poverty remains high in rural areas, where social vulnerability is widespread. The Guaraní ethnic group often lives in isolated communities with a low standard of hygiene and sanitation. This epidemiological scenario favors the spread of transmissible diseases, including several parasitic infections belonging to the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) group. In this area, a long-standing research activity, built upon the synergism between local and foreign institutions, has been established since the late 1980s and helps to fill in the knowledge gap about the epidemiology dynamics of soil-transmitted helminths, vector-borne parasites, and other parasitic diseases. A 35-year history of cooperation programs in parasitology research has contributed to informing local health authorities of the NTD burden in the Bolivian Chaco and, ultimately, supports local healthcare providers in the management of parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Gabrielli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Macchioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Spinicci
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Marianne Strohmeyer
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Mimmo Roselli
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Nicoletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate G.F. Ingrassia, Sez. di Neuroscienze, Università di Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Calogero Edoardo Cicero
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate G.F. Ingrassia, Sez. di Neuroscienze, Università di Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Veronica Poma
- Escuela de Salud del Chaco Tekove Katu, Gutierrez, Bolivia
| | - David Rojo
- Escuela de Salud del Chaco Tekove Katu, Gutierrez, Bolivia
| | - Yunni Lara
- Hospital San Antonio de los Sauces, Monteagudo, Bolivia
| | | | | | - Herlan Gamboa
- Facultad Integral del Chaco, Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno, Camiri, Bolivia
| | | | | | - Joaquín Monasterio
- Servicio Departamental de Salud (SEDES) de Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
| | - Gabriella Cancrini
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50121 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence:
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The Neglected Cestode Infection: Epidemiology of Hymenolepis Nana Infection Among Children in Rural Yemen. Helminthologia 2020; 57:293-305. [PMID: 33364898 PMCID: PMC7734673 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2020-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hymenolepis nana is the most common cestode reported in humans worldwide. It is prevalent among children in the tropics and subtropics, particularly in rural poor communities where sanitation is inadequate or lacking. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and significant risk factors of H. nana infection among children in rural Yemen. Faecal samples were collected from 498 children and screened for intestinal parasites by using wet mount, formalin-ether concentration and Kato–Katz techniques. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect demographic, socioeconomic, housing condition, and personal hygiene information. Overall, 77.5 % (386/498) of the children were found to be infected by at least one intestinal parasite species. The overall prevalence of H. nana was 17.5 % (87/498). Multivariate analysis confirmed that an age of < 6 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.28; 95 % (confidence interval [CI] = 2.04, 8.98), presence of other family members infected with H. nana (AOR = 2.48; 95 % CI = 1.45, 4.24), living in the highlands (AOR = 2.87; 95 % CI = 1.56, 5.26), living in a house without improved toilet facilities (AOR = 2.19; 95 % CI = 1.23, 3.88), not washing vegetables before consumption (AOR = 2.11; 95 % CI = 1.06, 4.19), and not washing hands after defecation (AOR = 1.88; 95 % CI = 1.08, 3.27) were the key factors significantly associated with H. nana infection among the studied children. In conclusion, H. nana is prevalent among children in rural Yemen, particularly among preschool-aged children. Thus, an integrated and effective programme to control intestinal parasitic infections should include preschool-aged children. Such a programme should focus on providing health education on hygienic practices, providing adequate sanitation and improved sources of drinking water, and screening and treating other infected family members.
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Resnhaleksmana E, Artama WT, Wijayanti MA, Fihiruddin F. Molecular genotypes analysis of Cryptosporidium and Hymenolepis in rats on Lombok Island, Indonesia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2020. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2020.123-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Cryptosporidium parvum and Hymenolepis nana are intestinal parasites that are commonly found in the unclean environment. Their presence in rats promotes the transmission of the cryptosporidiosis and hymenolepiasis to humans or animals nearby. This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics of C. parvum and H. nana and their distribution in rats on Lombok Island.
Materials and Methods: C. parvum and H. nana were investigated in 50 rats from Lombok Island. The molecular-parasitological technique used was polymerase chain reaction and sequencing method.
Results: From 50 samples of rats' stool from 10 locations on Lombok Island, 8% (4/50) of C. parvum was detected molecularly with an 18S rRNA gene and 2% (1/50) of H. nana with COX 1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that C. parvum carrying rats on Lombok Island have a genetic relationship with C. parvum with Obi7 isolates, Japan and H. nana has a genetic relationship with Rodentolepis nana identified with Hn-VT isolates, India.
Conclusion: The highest incidence of parasites was found in rats that were caught in the urban areas of Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Immediately, public health programs in these types of contaminated areas should receive priority attention to prevent further transmission of the parasites from animals to human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ersandhi Resnhaleksmana
- Doctoral Program, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Wayan Tunas Artama
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and One Health/Ecohealth Resource Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mahardika Agus Wijayanti
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Fihiruddin Fihiruddin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Politeknik Kesehatan Mataram, Indonesia
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Kandi V, Koka SS, Bhoomigari MR. Hymenolepiasis in a Pregnant Woman: A Case Report of Hymenolepis nana Infection. Cureus 2019; 11:e3810. [PMID: 30868024 PMCID: PMC6402731 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.3810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hymenolepiasis is an infection caused by Hymenolepis nana (H. nana) and H. diminuta (H. diminuta). Hymenolepiasis is prevalent throughout the world with human infections with H. nana being frequently reported in the literature as compared to H. diminuta. Hymenolepiasis is more frequent among children, and most human infections remain asymptomatic and self-limited. Symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting are frequently noted in the cases of heavy infections. We report a case of hymenolepiasis caused by H. nana in a pregnant woman.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sri Sandhya Koka
- Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, IND
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