@phdthesis{JanzenMaaser2023, author = {Janzen-Maaser, Anita}, title = {Prevalence of Strongyloides infection and other intestinal parasites in paediatric patients in a referral hospital in Northern Tanzania}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-29702}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297023}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The StrongPaed study in the paediatric ward of a referral hospital in Mwanza in the lake region of Tanzania showed the prevalence of S. stercoralis, G. lamblia, E. histolytica and E. dispar as well as of other intestinal parasites with various diagnostic methods. The prevalence of S. stercoralis was 2-10 \% depending on the diagnostic methods used. There were no symptomatic infections but only carriage of the nematode. The positive results differed greatly depending on the performed diagnostic methods. None of the diagnostics showed satisfying results, neither in sensitivity and specificity nor in feasibility for this population in an endemic region in sub-Saharan Africa. PCR and microscopy were limited by the low amount of examined stool samples and by the resulting lack of sensitivity. Stool cultures were limited by time-consuming procedures and mainly by the problem of differentiation from hookworm and the resulting lack of specificity. ELISA was limited by the need of blood samples and also by poor specificity in the ELISA used. The prevalence of G. lamblia was high, but mostly only carriage and not symptomatic infections was seen. No E. histolytica was detected, but 8.5 \% samples were positive for E. dispar. Among the performed diagnostics, the rapid test showed sufficient results. It showed better sensitivity than microscopy and is cheaper and more feasible than PCR. Differentiation between E. histolytica and E. dispar was only possible with qPCR performed in Germany. More children were positive for intestinal parasites from rural than from urban areas. The profession of the parents working as farmers was a risk factor for intestinal parasitic infections. Hygienic living conditions such as access to tap water and flush toilets at home were preventive for intestinal parasitic infections in children.}, subject = {Strongyloides}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Franz2023, author = {Franz, Anemone}, title = {Determining the prevalence and morbidity of \(Schistosoma\), soil-transmitted-helminths and intestinal protozoa in orphans and street children in Mwanza city, Northern Tanzania}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-32948}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-329487}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The present study investigates the infection rates of parasites, morbidity, and the living conditions of street children and orphans in Mwanza city, northern Tanzania. A high percentage of orphans and street children in Mwanza city is infected with one or more parasites. A significantly higher rate of infections with S. mansoni in street children as compared with orphans could be observed. The prevalence of S. mansoni determined by POC CCA test was 65.9\% for orphans and 94.5\% for street children. 19.2\% of the orphans tested positive for S. mansoni in Kato Katz. Of the street children, 77.1\% showed positive test results in Kato-Katz. Only 1.3\% of the orphans stated in the questionnaire that they use the lake to wash, whereas 91.1\% of the street children named the lake as at least one of their options for washing. Protozoal infections used as a marker for hygiene were at a comparable level for both groups. Microscopy showed positive results for G. intestinalis in 8.2\% and for E. histolytica/dispar in 23\% of orphans and 8.1\% for G. intestinalis, and 23.8\% for E. histolytica/dispar in street children. Through ultrasonography, we observed no signs of severe PPF and only a few mild PPF patterns. Most street children use the lake to wash and often do not have access to adequate sanitation. However, everyone in the study group indicated having access to safe drinking water. Overall, we found the general hygienic conditions for both groups to be inadequate. With the help of simple public health measures, like improve sanitation and regular mass drug administration, the overall situation would likely be considerably improved.}, subject = {Schistosomiasis}, language = {en} }