The Survey of Infections of Human Intestinal Helminthes in the Rural Areas of Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province

Objective To investigated the prevalence of human intestinal helminthes infection in the rural areas of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. Methods Faecal samples from 190 peoples were collected from two distinct regions (Donghai Islang and Potou District) , and examined for the presence of intestinal helminth eggs using direct saline smear or brine flotation techniques between January 2006 and April 2006. Results Of the 190 peoples,78(41.1%)were infected with intestinal helminthes, 49 (25.8%) with hookworm, 23 (12.1%) with Ascaris lumbricoides and 20 (10.5%) with Trichuris trichiura. Concurrent infection of multiple helminthes was common; 13 (6.8%)were infected with 2 or 3 species of helminth. Hookworm infection was the most common helminth infection in the age group of 50-69,while A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infection were common in the age group of 1.5-19. The hookworm infection rate of female was higher than male. After ingesting with levamisole, the faecal samples in the first 12 hours were examined for the adult of hookworm from 8 hookworm egg positive individuals. Of the collected 143 hookworms, 125 (87.4%) were Ancyclostoma duodenale and 18 (12.6%) were Necator americanus. In addition, 2 male A. lumbricoides were collected from 2 people. Conclusion The results of the present survey showed that human intestinal helminthes infection was common in the rural areas of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. The prevalence figures indicated Ancyclostoma duodenale infection was the common species of hookworm infection. The comprehensive measures should be taken for the control of human intestinal helminth infection.