Intestinal parasites in indigenous communities of Santa Cruz and chirick sacha near Tarapoto (el Dorado Region), San Martin

Members of the Santa Cruz (n=122) and ChirickSacha (n=129) communities (Tarapoto, El Dorado region) were surveyed for infection with pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) and other intestinal parasites in August, 2012 as part of a health campaign performed in these communities. Anthropometric data, blood, and fecal samples were collected and materials for the Graham test (for pinworm) were distributed to community members. Fecal samples were examined by direct method for eggs and cysts of intestinal parasites. In ChirickSacha there were 56 individuals with Graham test results; fecal samples were obtained from 84 individuals. Sixty-six percent (66%) of those sampled were infected with E. vermicularis. Other prevalent infections observed in fecal analysis were Ascaris lumbricoides (25%), Entamoeba coli (30%), and Hymenolepis nana (10%); overall, 75% of those sampled were infected with at least one parasite. In Santa Cruz, prevalence of E. vermicularis was 69% (n=67); 62% of those submitting fecal samples had intestinal parasites, including A. lumbricoides (19%), E. coli (30%) and H. nana (10%). Possible interactions with host age, size, and nutritional status (as measured by hematocrit) will be discussed