BACKGROUND: We wanted to quantify the impact that polyparasite infections, including multiple concurrent low-intensity infections, have on anemia. METHODS: Three stool samples were collected and read in duplicate by the Kato-Katz method in a cross-sectional sample of 507 children from Leyte, The Philippines. The number of eggs per gram of stool was used to define 3 infection intensity categories--uninfected, low, and moderate/high (M+)--for 3 geohelminth species and Schistosomiasis japonicum. Four polyparasite infection profiles were defined in addition to a reference profile that consisted of either no infections or low-intensity infection with only 1 parasite. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the effect that polyparasitism has on anemia (hemoglobin level <11 g/dL). RESULTS: The odds of having anemia in children with low-intensity polyparasite infections were nearly 5-fold higher (P = .052) than those in children with the reference profile. The odds of having anemia in children infected with 3 or 4 parasite species at M+ intensity were 8-fold greater than those in children with the reference profile (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Low-intensity polyparasite infections were associated with increased odds of having anemia. In most parts of the developing world, concurrent infection with multiple parasite species is more common than single-species infections. This study suggests that concurrent low-intensity infections with multiple parasite species result in clinically significant morbidity.
BACKGROUND: We wanted to quantify the impact that polyparasite infections, including multiple concurrent low-intensity infections, have on anemia. METHODS: Three stool samples were collected and read in duplicate by the Kato-Katz method in a cross-sectional sample of 507 children from Leyte, The Philippines. The number of eggs per gram of stool was used to define 3 infection intensity categories--uninfected, low, and moderate/high (M+)--for 3 geohelminth species and Schistosomiasis japonicum. Four polyparasite infection profiles were defined in addition to a reference profile that consisted of either no infections or low-intensity infection with only 1 parasite. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the effect that polyparasitism has on anemia (hemoglobin level <11 g/dL). RESULTS: The odds of having anemia in children with low-intensity polyparasite infections were nearly 5-fold higher (P = .052) than those in children with the reference profile. The odds of having anemia in children infected with 3 or 4 parasite species at M+ intensity were 8-fold greater than those in children with the reference profile (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Low-intensity polyparasite infections were associated with increased odds of having anemia. In most parts of the developing world, concurrent infection with multiple parasite species is more common than single-species infections. This study suggests that concurrent low-intensity infections with multiple parasite species result in clinically significant morbidity.
Authors: Julia G Shaw; Nitin Aggarwal; Luz P Acosta; Mario A Jiz; Hai-Wei Wu; Tjalling Leenstra; Hannah M Coutinho; Remigio M Olveda; Jonathan D Kurtis; Stephen T McGarvey; Jennifer F Friedman Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2010-08 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Amaya L Bustinduy; Isabel M Parraga; Charles L Thomas; Peter L Mungai; Francis Mutuku; Eric M Muchiri; Uriel Kitron; Charles H King Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2013-01-16 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Cameron J McDonald; Malcolm K Jones; Daniel F Wallace; Lesa Summerville; Sujeevi Nawaratna; V Nathan Subramaniam Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-03-09 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Simon Brooker; Willis Akhwale; Rachel Pullan; Benson Estambale; Siân E Clarke; Robert W Snow; Peter J Hotez Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2007-12 Impact factor: 2.345