Parasitismo intestinal em uma aldeia indígena Parakanã, sudeste do Estado do Pará, Brasil

• Main Author: Miranda, Rogério dos Anjos
• Publication Date: 1998
• Other Authors: Xavier, Fábio Branches, Menezes, Raimundo Camurça de
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Cadernos de Saúde Pública
• Download full: https://cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br/ojs/index.php/csp/article/view/987
• topic: Parasitologia; Parasitos; Índios Sul-Americanos; Epidemiologia

To determine the occurrence and epidemiological aspects of intestinal parasites among the Parakanã indigenous people in the Paranatinga settlement (in the eastern Amazon Region), parasitological tests were performed in April 1992 and February 1995. One fresh stool specimen was obtained and immediately processed using the Hoffman and direct methods. Some 126 samples were obtained in April 1992 (from a total population of 215 individuals). Some 80.2% (101) of those tested were infected with at least one species of intestinal parasite. Hookworms were found in 33.3%, Ascaris lumbricoides 42.8%, Trichuris trichiura 0.8%, and Strongyloides stercoralis 5.6%. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia protozoans were found in 65.0% and 46.8% of those tested, respectively. A second parasitological survey was performed on 174 individuals (from a population of 253) in February 1995. 88.5% were infected. Note that prevalence in February 1995 was higher than in April 1992 (p = 0.04). It was lower for hookworms, E. histolytica, and G. lamblia, with no S. stercoralis (p