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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 39531552 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.7269

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in street dwellers attending a shelter in Cali, Colombia.

Biomedica 44(4):524-536

Authors: Jorge Iván Zapata-Valencia, Diana Maritza Jurado-Orejuela, Ofelia Flórez-Echeverry, Erica Marcela Aristizábal-Giraldo, Jhonathan León Gallego-Franco, María Camila Yolanda Ramírez-Uribe, Jemina Rentería-Molina, Alejandra Sandoval-Villareal, Yermaín Ulabarri-Valencia, Juan Carlos Zambrano-Camelo

Affiliations

  • Escuela de Bacteriología y Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Intestinal parasitic infections represent a public health problem, especially among vulnerable populations. There are few studies on the prevalence and determinants of intestinal parasites infections in street dwellers, who may experience significant health and socioeconomic implications. Understanding the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasites in this population is crucial for targeted interventions to mitigate the spread of these infections.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in street dwellers attending a shelter in Cali, Colombia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected 66 participants who met the inclusion criteria. We collected serial stool samples for laboratory evaluation and sociodemographic data, and information on their hygiene habits and addictions.

RESULTS

Seventy-six percent of the participants had intestinal parasites or commensals, with 30% presenting monoparasitism, 46% polyparasitism, and 20% eosinophilia. Blastocystis spp. was the most common organism (68.18%), followed by Endolimax nana (34.85%) and Entamoeba coli (18.18%). The most common pathogens were the Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii complex (10.61%) and hookworms (9.09%). We evaluated prevalence-related determinants.

CONCLUSIONS

Intestinal parasitism is a health problem among street dwellers in Cali. A serial examination is recommended for diagnosing intestinal parasitic infection, especially in cases of low parasite loads. Campaigns should be established to reduce the prevalence of these parasites in populations at risk of complications.

MeSH

Parasitic Diseases, Prevalence, Parasites, Poverty, Infections