RESUMO
Para determinar la prevalencia de Blastocystis sp. y su asociación con características epidemiológicas se realizó una investigación descriptiva en dos comunidades del Municipio Maracaibo del Estado Zulia. Para la recolección de datos se empleó una ficha epidemiológica; participaron 406 individuos seleccionados aleatoriamente realizándoseles a cada uno, un examen coproparasitológico directo con SSF-Lugol. Entre los estudiados predominaron los mayores de 18 años (72,1%) y el género femenino (51,4%). La prevalencia de Blastocystis sp. fue 38,9%, con mayor frecuencia de poliparasitismo (54,4%), identificándose Endolimax nana (36,1%) como especie comensal principalmente asociada, seguida de Giardia intestinalis (22,1%) entre los patógenos. Hubo asociación significativa (p<0.05) entre la prevalencia de la infección con el status de ocupación activa, hacinamiento, consumo de agua no tratada y ausencia de adecuadas condiciones para disponer y eliminar basura. Dichas variables mostraron valores OR 95% IC que evidencian su influencia como factores de riesgo, presentándose para el status de ocupación activa el mayor riesgo de infección (OR = 3,18). No se observó asociación significativa entre presencia de Blastocystis sp. con otras características epidemiológicas (p>0.05). Las limitaciones en los estándares de higiene comunal y personal son determinantes de la prevalencia de Blastocystis sp. en estas comunidades.
To determine the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and its association with epidemiological characteristics, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two communities of the Maracaibo Municipality, State of Zulia. To collect data, an epidemiological record was used; 406 randomly selected individuals participated; for each one, a direct parasitological examination with SSF- Lugol was performed. Individuals over 18 years (72.1%) and females (51.4%) predominated. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection was 38.9%; poly-parasitism predominated (54.4 %), identifying Endolimax nana (36.1%) as the most frequently associated commensal species, followed by Giardia intestinalis (22.1%), among the pathogens. There was significant association (p<0.05) between the prevalence of infection with active occupation status, overcrowding, untreated water consumption and lack of adequate conditions to dispose of and eliminate waste. These variables showed OR 95% CI values, which demonstrates their influence as risk factors, reporting the greatest risk of infection (OR=3.18) for the active occupation status. No significant association was noted between the presence of Blastocystis sp. and other epidemiological characteristics (p >0.05). Limitations in community and personal hygiene standards are determinants for the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in these communities.
RESUMO
Microsporidia are recognized as a cause of morbidity among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Infection rates for intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-infected patients from Venezuela are unknown. To determine the prevalence and pathogenic role of microsporidia in these patients in northwestern Venezuela, a case control study was conducted in 103 outpatients (mean +/- SD age = 37.3 +/- 5.6 years). Microsporidia were detected using unconcentrated formalin-fixed stools examined by Weber's chromotrope-based staining method. For identification of coccidia, modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of formalin-ether concentrates were used, and for other pathogenic parasites, iron hematoxylin-stained smears and formalin-ether concentrates were examined. Microsporidial infections were detected in 14 (13.6%) of 103 patients and 39 (37.9%) had other parasitic pathogens. No significant difference was noted in the occurrence of the infection in patients with diarrhea (13 of 74, 17.6%) and controls (1 of 29, 3.4%) (P = 0.118). Nevertheless, this result may be due to the small sample size (n = 14) of infected individuals. The proportions of other pathogens in patients with or without diarrhea were not significantly different (P = 0.828). Microsporidiosis is common among the HIV-infected population in northwestern Venezuela. However, its pathogenic role in these patients is uncertain and warrants further investigation.