Prevalence of Soil-transmitted Helminths and Intestinal Protozoa in Shanty Towns of Libreville, Gabon

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are significant public health problems in sub- Saharan Africa. Establishment of effective control strategies such as mass drug administration of anthelminthic are implementing while recent local data in urban areas are lacking.

Aim: To assess the frequency of IPIs and coparasitism in patients from shanty towns of Libreville, the capital city of Gabon.

Study Design: Cross-sectional and observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Parasitology Mycology at the Université des Sciences de la Santé, Libreville, from February to April 2014.

Methods: Stool samples collected from 101 individuals, aged between 13 and 74 years old, were analysed by direct microscopic examination, Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde concentration and coproculture. Age, education level, type of house and existence of latrine were also recorded.

Results: Among analysed stools, 75.2% (n=76/101) were infected with at least one parasite. Protozoa represented 94.3% of the detected parasites with Blastocystis hominis being the predominant species (41.6%; n=42/101). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (6.9%; n=7/101)) and Giardia intestinalis (2.0%; n=2/101) were the less common protozoa. Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) were found in 7.9% (n=8/101) of stool examined, Trichuris trichiura (5.9%) was the most common helminth detected, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (2.0%), hookworm (1.0%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (1.0%). Coparasitism was present in 35.6% (n=36/101) of positive cases. Dual and triple infections accounted for 23.8% and 6.9%, respectively. Having no education and living in a wooden house were associated with IPIs (p<0.01), particularly STH which were more frequent among women and children (p<0.01).

Conclusion: This study reports a high frequency of intestinal parasites infection in shanty towns of Libreville. An unexpected higher prevalence of protozoa compared to STH is also noticed.