Analysis on the epidemiological situation of soil-transmitted nematode infections at the national monitoring spots of Anhui Province, 2006-2010

Objective To analyze the epidemiological situation of soil-transmitted nematode infections at the national monitoring spot of Anhui Province.Methods The stool samples of the residents at Mengcheng County in Anhui were collected and examined for Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura and hookworms with modified Kato-Katz thick smear “one stool specimen-three slides” from September to November,2006 to 2010.Other parasite species detected were registered as well.Soil samples were collected for microscopic examination on fertilized or unfertilized Ascaris eggs and identification of live and dead fertilized Ascaris eggs.Results The total of 5119 persons were investigated from 2006 to 2010,the yearly infection rates were 9.51％,9.93％,9.08％,5.38％ and 2.85％ respectively,showing a declining tendency from 2007.There was no regular pattern comparing the infection rates between males and females.The infection rate rapidly decreased in teenagers especially in the age group between 15 to 19 years and decreased from 20.59％ to 0 in this age group during the 5 years.However,the infection rate maintained a higher level in age group above 50-year-old.Ancylostomiasis was the major soil transmitted nematode disease.The detection rates of Ascaris eggs in the soil correlated with the infection rates.Conclusion According to the 5 years monitoring,the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes was declining indicating the necessity of continuous monitoring. Key words: Nematode infection; Soil-transmitted nematode disease; Monitoring spot; Monitoring