Occurrence of intestinal endoparasitic infections in children from the Košice region
Occurrence of intestinal endoparasitic infections in children from the Košice region

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Despite the advances in the field of medicine and health, the prevalence of parasitic infections is relatively high. Endoparasitic infections in the population of children pose the highest risk. These infections usually have a severe impact on the health of children, with the retardation of tissue growth, anemia, deficiencies of basic elements, minerals, and vitamins. Research objectives: This study aimed to bring insights into parasitic infections in children in Košice region from February 2017 to February 2020. Methods: For this study, we used the ELISA method for the detection of Cryptosporidium antigen and the sedimentation method for the concentration of developmental stages of endoparasites in feces. Results: A total of 327 children were examined. Endoparasitic infections occurred in children in 9.2 % of the samples. The reproductive stages of Ascaris lumbricoides parasites were found in 4.3 % of the samples, Hymenolepis spp. were detected in 1.8 % and Trichuris trichuria 0.9 % of the samples. Cryptosporidium antigen was detected in 3.1 % of children. The most affected group were preschool children, where parasitic infections occurred in 15.8 % of cases, followed by a group of children of younger school age, where parasitic infections occurred in 8.0 % of children. Intestinal endoparasitic infections were detected in 6.6 % children from hospital, and 40.0 % among children from marginalized community. Conclusion: In Slovakia, intestinal endoparasitic infections are most frequent in pre-school and school children. The prevalence of parasitoses was not high, but it points however, it reflects the insufficient concern for these types of infections, which have the potential to transmit significantly in collectives of children.

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