A SAMPLE SURVEY OF SELECTED AREAS IN AND NEAR LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, TO ASSESS PREVALENCE OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA

Abstract

Laboratory confirmed clinical amebiasis was diagnosed among more than 50 persons by the University of Arkansas Medical Center from 1955 to 1961. The presence of this number of patients prompted an investigation into the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in 4 selected areas in and around Little Rock, Arkansas. The results of the study, using a sample survey technique, showed that it is possible to have a seemingly large number of clinically significant cases of amebiasis in a population without a high prevalence of the parasite. Evidence was also obtained of the beneficial effects of improvements in sanitary facilities, as reflected in the lower amebic prevalence rate in a 0-4-year age-group from 1 of the 4 areas surveyed in which a piped, indoor city-water supply and sewage facilities had been installed 6 years previously.