The Prevalence of Endamoeba Histolytica and Other Intestinal Parasites in a Selected Urban Area

Abstract

Summary A study of Endamoeba histolytica and other intestinal parasites was conducted in two very similar urban housing projects, one inhabited by Negro and the other by white families, with the following results: 1. Observed prevalences of the intestinal parasites for this urban population were: E. histolytica, 3.5 per cent; Endamoeba coli, 13.9 per cent; Endolimax nana, 11.9 per cent; Iodamoeba bütschlii, 1.1 per cent; Giardia lamblia, 5.0 per cent; and Chilomastix mesnili, 0.7 per cent. 2. The higher prevalence rates for E. histolytica and E. nana and the lower rate for E. coli in the white population were not significant statistically; however, other factors operating in the two populations which suggest the possibility of real racial differences are discussed. 3. Overall prevalence rates were much lower than those found in rural communities of the mid-south but the sex and age distributional patterns were, in general, the same. 4. The helminths occurred infrequently probably because of the excellent sanitary facilities. 5. The occurrence of diarrhea and E. histolytica infection were associated to a marked degree, but no further association between symptoms and parasites could be established.