23-27 23 S . M . Arif and Z. A .A . Ibrahim Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. (2001) 9 (3): 23-27 SURVEY ON THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG ORPHAN CHILDREN INHABIT TWO STATEHOMES IN BAGHDAD CITY Saad M. Arif and Zaman A. A. Ibrahim Technical Institute/ Al-Mansur/ Baghdad ABSTRACT 230 stool samples were collected from 2 state homes for (males and females) to investigate the infection of different intestinal parasites (pathogenic and non-pathogenic). The infection rate was higher among males 15.7% than females 6%, these rates were increased when concentration method was employed up to 54.8% for males and 8.7% for females significantly. Most infected orphans were found to harbor single parasite followed by double, triple parasites. The highest rate of infection was found among young age group (1-5) years old, while the older age groups got lowest rates. Of helminthes, the commonest parasite was Hymenolepis nana 5.7% and of protozoa, the commonest intestinal parasite was Giardia lamblia 7.4%. INTRODUCTION Statehomes are one of establishments which concern with orphan children who suffering of social and financial problems. This study is extended to evaluate the healthy state of the beneficiaries who inhabits these homes and it is truly considered the first study which was done on statehomes orphans and children in Baghdad city. Many studies were carried on school and pre-school children in different ages and sexes some of these were done in Baghdad city and its provinces (Al-Jeboori and Shafiq, 1976; Ali et al., 1989; Ibrahim et al., 1994) while others were done in other cities and in different parts of Iraq (Molan and Faroq, 1989; Dwiach et al., 1992). MATERIALS AND METHODS 230 stool samples were collected from two statehomes (males and females) in Baghdad city in clean, dry, covered plastic cups labeled with child name, sex, age and some clinical symptoms and all the samples were examined by two laboratory techniques: A-Direct smear method: with two slides per each stool sample using saline and iodine with a little amount of stool and examined microscopically. B-Concentration method: using normal saline to concentrate ova and oocycts, then the deposites examined microscopically using Lugol’s iodine. All stool samples were collected from (8-10 A. M.) approximately (25) samples/day and examined after (1 hr) from time of collection. Chi-square applied on the data which was obtained. 24 Survey on the prevalence of intestinal parasites RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From table (1 and 2) the study show that orphan child could be infected with different intestinal pathogenic and non-pathogenic parasites at different ages and sexes with different rates. Of 230 stool samples, 73 (31.7%) were positive for intestinal parasite. Giardia lamblia was the most common 17 (7.4%) pathogenic parasite, but this rate is lower than that reported by (Ali et al., 1989; Molan and Faroq, 1989; Mohmood, 1992). The infection rates with this parasite vary greatly from district-to-district, due to many factors such as (district nature, level of personal sanitation and whether family, school, hospital child) (Al-Jeboori and Shafiq, 1976), while (Abdel-Hafez et al. 1986) said that highrate of giardiasis is due to person-to-person transmission in the same place. Table 1: Prevalence of intestinal parasites among orphans children inhabit two statehomes for males and females. Parasite name Total cases Statehome (M) Statehome (F) No. % No. % No. % Entamoeba histolytica 3 1.3 3 1.3 0 0 Giardia lamblia 17 7.4 15 6.5 2 0.87 Entamoeba coli 23 10 22 9.6 1 0.4 Endolimax nana 4 1.7 1 0.4 3 1.3 Trichomonas hominis 7 3 5 2.1 2 0.87 Enterobius vermicularis 5 2.1 5 2.1 0 0 Hymenolepis nana 13 5.7 11 4.8 2 0.87 Strongyloides stercoralis 1 0.4 1 0.4 0 0 Total no. exam. =230 73 31.7 63 27.5 10 4.4 These results were obtained by using concentration method. Table 2: Total infection rates using both methods (direct and concentration) in accordance with age groups, sexes, pattern of infection. Age groups (years) Total no. exam. Direct method Concentration method No. + % No. + % 1-5 83 16 7 49 21.3 6-10 90 7 3 17 7.4 11-15 57 2 0.8 7 3 Sexes Total no No. + % No.+ % Males 115 18 15.7 63 54.8 Females 115 7 6 10 8.7 Pattern of infection No.+ % No.+ % Single infection 21 9.1 49 21.3 Double infection 3 1.3 20 8.7 Triple infection 1 0.4 4 1.7 Total no. exam. 230 25 10.8 73 31.7 25 S . M . Arif and Z. A .A . Ibrahim The infection rate with Hymenolepis nana is 5.7% which is much lower than that reported by ( Al-Hannon and Mukhlis 1982) 7.9%, Mohmood (1992) 19.4% and higher than that reported by Dwiach et al. (1992) 3.6% and Ibrahim et al. (1994) 2.3%. The infection with H. nana may be either due to auto-infection (Al-Abiady, 1988) or could be child hands contaminated with mouse piles (Dwiach et al., 1992) or may be accidental ingestion of mouse piles (Mohmood,1992). The infection rate with Entamoeba histolytica is 1.3% which is lower than that reported by (Al-Hannon and Mukhlis, 1982) 6.7%, (Ibrahim et al., 1994) 7.4% and this low rate either faecal-contamination with parasite is low (Al-Jeboori and Shafiq, 1976) or, the prevalence of this parasite among adults more than in children (Dwiach et al., 1992). Young children especially under 2 years old got lower infection rates because of the defence mechanism which transmitted from mother through breast milk (Asma et al., 1988). The prevalence rate of Strongyoides stercoralis was the lowest rate 0.4%, this rate reflect the fact that parasitic infection through soil is very low (Al-jeboori and Sahafiq, 1976; Mahdi and Jassim,1987). On the other hand, the results indicated that the males got higher rate 15.7% than females 6% and these rates increased significantly (P< 0.01) when we used concentration method. This fact reflects the better hygienic and sanitory precautions (It was observed very clearly) among females than males statehome and it means that there is better an intensive care among females statehomes than males. This fact could be explained by the playing-nature of males outdoors & indoors make them exposed to contamination more than females and as it was observed clearly that the free behavior of males outdoor make them indirect contact with contaminated foods, this fact was affirmed by (Dwiach et al., 1992; Jaafer, 1995). The results indicated that orphan child could be harbour and infected with more than one parasite concurrently (single, double, triple infection) and this is due to either agreat risk of exposure to mixed infection (Al-Jeboori & Shafiq, 1976) or due the mixed infection occur commonly via faeco-oral (Mahdi & Jassin, 1987) while (Ali et al., 1990) said that the mixed infection is due to responsiveness of child to be infection with one parasite give a chance to other parasite to survive longer in same host & same time. The highest infection rates with different parasites was found among young age group orphan (1-5) years old while old age group children (not adults) (6-10) (11-15) years old got lower rates of infection because orphans hans among young age much more exposed to contaminate dirt due to play nature which keep them in direct contact with contamination (Al- Abiady, 1988), while (Al-Hanoon & Mukhlis, 1982) said that young ages are more liable for infection than older ages . Finally non-pathogenic. Parasites were exist in some stool samples in different rates Entamoeba coil 10%, Endolimax nana 1.7% Trichomonas hominis 3% and the existence of these parasites in stool samples is an indication for a faecal contamination of hands, foods, water (Al-Jeboori & Shafiq 1976, Ibrahim et al, 1994). CONCLUSION Generally, we can say that the total rate of infection with different intestinal parasites is low, and this rate could be increased & extended to involve un-infective children especially among males statehome, unless all sanitory and medically precausions must be well developed in both statehomes . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A great and sincere regards to all statehomes staff, managements, members, social supervisors, guardman for their great help. 26 Survey on the prevalence of intestinal parasites Our sincere thanks to Dr. Shakeer Mohmood for his clinical diagnosis and for Dr. Talal A. Mohy for his cooperation in doing statistical analysis of the results. LITERATURE CITED Abdel-Hafez, M.M.; El-Kady, N.; Bolbol, AS.; and Baknina, M.H. 1986. Prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infection in Riyadh district, Saudi Arabia Anns, Trop Med. & paras 80(6):631-634 Al-Abiady, N.A. 1988. The correlation of hielminth ova & protozoa cysts in human and industs in & around houses in some villages around Mosul-Iraq. M.Sc. Thesis. Al-Hanoon, Z., and Mukhlis S. 1982, Prevalence of intestinal parasites among secondary school students in Mosul-Iraq. J.Fact. Med. Baghdad. 24(4):225-230. Ali, N.M.H.; Mohamed, Y.H.; Dakeel, S.H., and Ali, A.A. 1989. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school student in Al-Rahmaniya-sector Baghdad- Iraq. J.Tech. Res. Suppliment. (Accepted for publication, in press). Ali. N.M.H.; Al-Kawa’s, I.A., Hann; F., and Ali, A.A. 1990. Prevalence of H. nana mong primary school children in Rahmaniya sector-Baghdad-Iraq. Proceeding of 2nd. Tech. conference (FTI):150-163. Al-Jeboori, T. L. and Shafiq, M. A. 1976 Intestinal parasires in Baghdad city. A survey in two districts. J. Fact. Med. Baghdad, 18(3&4): 161-170 Asma, I.; Barbara, J. S.; Inger, L.; Jostna, B.; Hazzara, N. and Gunnel, H. 1988 The prevalence of E. histolytica in lactating women and their infants in Bangladesh. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. & Hyg.,82: 99-103. Dwiach, R. N.; Hussain, A. J. and Rahhi, A. A. 1992 .Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school children in Kut. Accepeted for 3rd Tech. Conference. J. Tech. Res. (in press). Ibrahim, Z. A. A. , Saeed, A. K. and Jaber, M. S. 1994 Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school children in Al-Russafa sector Baghdad. Accepted for 4th Tech. Conference. J. Tech. Res. (in press). Jaafer, E. H. 1995. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary-school children in Al- Doorah area, Baghdad, Iraq. J. Al-Mustansyria Science (accepted for publication, in press). Mahdi, N. K. and Jassim, A. H. 1987. Intestinal parasitic infection of primary school children in three regions of southern Iraq. Med J. Basrah Univ., 6(1): 55-60. Mohamed, A. F. B. 1995 Prevalence of amoebic dysentry in Saddam city, Baghdad. J. Tech. Res. (Accepted for publication, in press). Mohmood, S. A. 1992. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school children in Shualah city, Baghdad. J. Tech. Res. (Accepted for publication, in press). Molan, A. L. and Faroqq, A. M. 1989 Prevalence of intestinal parasites in school children of Arbil, Northern Iraq. Saud. Med. J., 10(2):107-110. 27 S . M . Arif and Z. A .A . Ibrahim Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus. (2001) 9 (3): 23-27 مسح حول انتشار الطفيليات المعوية بين األطفال األيتام في اثنين من دور الدولة في مدينة بغداد إبراهيم. أ. عارف و زمان أ. سعد م بغداد-المنصور- المعهد الفني الخالصة للكشـــف عـــن اخلمـــج ) للبنـــات والبنـــني(عينـــة بـــراز الثنـــني مـــن دور الدولـــة ٢٣٠لقـــد مت مجـــع ).املمرضة والغري ممرضة(طفيليات املعوية ملختلف ال أظهرت النتائج إن نسبة اخلمج بني الذكور بصورة عامة اكـرب مـن اإلنـاث حيـث بلغـت النسـبة لإلناث، وقد زادت هذه النسبة عند استخدام طريقة الرتكيز حيث بلغت % ٦للذكور و% ١٥,٧ .لإلناث بصورة معنوية% ١٨,٧للذكور و % ٥٤,٨ لقـد أظهــرت النتــائج بــان اخلمــج املفــرد هــو الـنمط الشــائع، ويــأيت بعــده اخلمــج املــزدوج، اخلمــج سنة بني األطفال األيتام اكثر الفئات عرضة للخمـج ) ٥-١(الثالثي، وان الفئات العمرية الصغرية .من الفئات العمرية الكبرية حيـث بلغـت Giardia lambliaهـي لقد تبني بان اكثـر الطفيليـات املعويـة االبتدائيـة شـيوعاً حيــث Hymenolepis nana، ومــن الــديان هــي الديــدان الشــريطية القزمــة %٧,٤نســبة اخلمــج %.٥,٧بلغت النسبة