Epidemiology of enteroparasitoses and superficial mycoses in communities and Hospital Infantil of Cordoba

Abstract

Purpose: to obtain epidemiological data and compare results obtained for enteroparasitoses and superficial mycoses in boys and girls between 0 and 15 years old, in two suburban communities located in the southwest of the province of Cordoba (SW area) and in children examined at Hospital Infantil Municipal in the northern area of the city of Cordoba (N area). Methods: 790 samples of stools and anus swabs and 160 skin and appendages samples from children living in these areas are analyzed. The techniques of Ritchie and Willis for parasitological analysis and classical methodology for mycological analysis are used. Results: in the parasitological samples processed a higher rate of Enterobius vermicularis is found, followed first by Blastocystis hominis and then by Giardia lamblia. A predominance of Microsporum canis followed by Candida albicans is found in the mycological samples from the northern area. Conclusions: the lack of sewer systems, running water and familiar overcrowding as well as inadequate personal and community hygiene are the causes of a higher frequency of these enteroparasitoses. We cannot establish statistical association between the presence of mycosis and the economical status of the populations studied with the epidemiological data found.