Diagnosis of intestinal helmints with four concentration methods

Vega J.L.R.; Solano F.A.C.; Espinoza M.A.V.; Del Castillo A.S.V. · Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomedicas (2024)

Resumen

Introduction: Intestinal helminths represent a public health problem, affecting coastal, highland, and jungle regions. Their prevalence is particularly high in children aged 2 to 10 years, due to their less developed immune systems and greater opportunities for contact with these parasites. Objective: To compare the efficacy of four concentration methods (Baermann, rapid sedimentation, Willis-Molloy, and Sheather) for the diagnosis of intestinal helminths against direct examination. Method: 150 stool samples from children were analyzed using the five mentioned methods. The study was conducted in health centers in the Lambayeque district, including children between 4 and 12 years of age. Results: The Baermann method showed the highest efficacy in diagnosing intestinal helminths at 20%, followed by the rapid sedimentation method (18.67%), Willis-Molloy (17.33%), direct examination (16.67%), and Sheather (15.33%). Of the total children examined, 20.67% tested positive for intestinal helminths, with a distribution of 45.16% male and 54.84% female. The 6-7 year age group showed the highest incidence of intestinal helminth parasitosis (32.26%). The chi-square test showed no statistical significance in gender distribution. Conclusion: The Baermann and rapid sedimentation concentration methods proved to be more effective than direct examination for the diagnosis of intestinal helminths, while the Willis-Molloy and Sheather methods were less effective.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo