Prevalence and Risk Factors for Blastocystis Infection Among Children and Caregivers in a Child Care Center, Bangkok, Thailand

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 93; no. 2; pp. 310 - 315
• Main Authors: Pipatsatitpong, Duangnate, Leelayoova, Saovanee, Mungthin, Mathirut, Aunpad, Ratchaneewan, Naaglor, Tawee, Rangsin, Ram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections - epidemiology; Blastocystis Infections - prevention & control; Caregivers; Child; Child Day Care Centers; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Protozoan - isolation & purification; Feces - parasitology; Female; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S - isolation & purification; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Socioeconomic Factors; Specimen Handling; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thailand - epidemiology; Young Adult; Thailand; Thailand, Chacoengsao Prov., Bangkok
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0492

In September 2009, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate parasitic infections in a child care center in Khlong Toei, Bangkok, Thailand. Of 503 children and staff members, 258 (51.3%) stool samples and questionnaires were obtained. The most common parasitic infection was Blastocystis sp. (13.6%). Blastocystis sp. subtype 3 was predominantly found (80.0%), followed by subtypes 2 (12.0%) and 1 (8.0%). The prevalence of Blastocystis infection varied among different age groups. The prevalence of Blastocystis infection in non-HIV-infected children aged < 10 and 10-19 years were 14.5% and 10.3%, respectively, which were not significantly different. All 31 HIV-infected children were not infected with Blastocystis sp. The most likely reason could be the result of properly using prevention measures for this specific group.