Intestinal parasites in children and adolescents from rural communities of Manabí, Ecuador

Introduction: Intestinal parasitosis is a public health problem that affects people of all ages and sexes; however, it occurs mainly in the first few years of life. This study aimed to identify the profile of intestinal parasites in children and adolescents from three rural communities in Manabí, Ecuador. These communities have never been evaluated parasitologically. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive, prospective, and cross-sectional study was designed, in which fecal samples were collected from children and adolescents, which were processed by direct coproparasitological examination and the concentration method with formalin-gasoline (Ritchie-Frick). Results: Of the 154 individuals studied, 70 were parasitized (45.50%), of which 67.15% presented only one parasitic species. The main species detected were the chromist Blastocystis sp., Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba coli; only Enterobius vermicularis was found in 2.60% of the individuals. In relation to parasitism by age and sex, a higher prevalence of parasitized children aged 6–11 years was observed, without major differences in parasitism by sex (female 42.70% and male 48.10%). A significant association was found between polyparasitism and male sex as well as between parasitism and community, with the Frutillo community having the highest prevalence. Discussion: A medium prevalence of intestinal parasites and a predisposition of these communities to infections caused by protozoa/chromists may be related to the ingestion of contaminated/untreated water.