Epidemiological and clinical picture of parasitic infections in the group of children and adolescents from north-east region of Poland

The epidemiological and clinical purview of parasite diseases is constantly evolving, mainly due to the changes in human behavior and our environment. The aim of this study was frequency analysis of certain parasite infections, risk factors and clinical symptoms in children and adolescents of north-eastern Poland. 120 children were tested due to the symptoms resembling parasite infection from December 2008 to May 2009. 90 patients (the tested group) aged from 5 months to 18 years were found to be infected with one or more than one of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Toxocara spp., Strongyloides stercoralis or Enterobius vermicularis. 30 children with no infections found were the control group. Parasites were found by means of microscope decantation stool tests, RIDA Quick Giardia stool test and ELISA blood test (Toxocara IgG). The patients’ parents filled out the survey concerning the probability factors of infection and the ailments that were the cause of parasitical diagnosis. High percentage of either isolated or co-invasive parasite infections was ascertained in the tested group – 75%. The prevalence of ascariasis was 55.83%, toxocariasis – 16.67%, giardiasis – 12.5%, strongyloidiasis – 5.83% and of enterobiasis – 3.33%. The statistical significance of higher dirty hands–mouth contact frequency and more frequent presence of domestic animals in the tested group than in the control group was ascertained. A highly important correlation between the infection and the occurrence of symptoms from at least 3 various systems was ascertained. The presence of habits involving dirty hands – mouth contact and having domestic animals are significant risk factors of parasite infections. The presence of symptoms from at least 3 systems should compel to parasite infection diagnosis with proper differential diagnosis.