Helminth infections are prevalent in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis in remote mountainous villages of northern Lao PDR. During the dry season in January 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 remote mountainous villages in Oudomxay province, Lao PDR. Villagers older than 18 years of age who agreed to submit stool samples or undergo an interview, were recruited. Stool samples from 198 individuals were examined by the Kato-Katz method, and a questionnaire surveyed 161 individuals among them. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with the intestinal helminthiasis. An overall prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 75.8%. Hookworm infection was the most common (63.1%), followed by Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal flukes (17.7%), Taenia spp. (15.2%), Trichuris trichiura (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.5%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.0%). Questionnaire analysis revealed sex (male) and absence of latrine to be significant risk factors for hookworm infection and consumption of raw meat for taeniasis. These results suggest that the mountainous area in northern Lao PDR has a different composition of helminth infections from other studies conducted in Lao PDR; a high prevalence of hookworm infection and taeniasis and low prevalence of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides infections were observed. Also, liver flukes or intestinal flukes were similarly prevalent in the mountainous area.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Prevalence and Epidemiological Patterns of Enterobius vermicularis Infection in Thailand: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Jurairat Jongthawin, Aongart Mahittikorn, Apiporn Thinkhamrop Suwannatrai, Chutima Rattanawan, Kinley Wangdi, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Manas Kotepui Medical Sciences.2025; 13(4): 207. CrossRef
Intestinal helminth infections and associated risk factors among adults in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Sengaloun Phonekeo, Sengchanh Kounnavong, Manithong Vonglokham, Latsamy Siengsounthone, Anousin Homsana, Sascha Gummin, Penelope Vounatsu, Prawat Nittiyanant, Suchin Worawichawong, Wichai Aekplakorn, Peter Odermatt, Somphou Sayasone Infectious Diseases of Poverty.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Prevention of Intestinal Helminth Infection among Residents of the Ho Municipality in the Volta Region of Ghana Verner N. Orish, Moses A. Asumbono, Isaac B. Addei, Moses A. Ayaaba, Precious K. Kwadzokpui, Aleksandra Marinkovic, Stephanie Prakash, Chuku Okorie, Ricardo Izurieta, Rajashree Pandit, Adekunle Sanyaolu, Bernard Marchand Journal of Parasitology Research.2023; 2023: 1. CrossRef
Effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing the prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini: a protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis Pornphutthachat Sota, Kefyalew Addis Alene, Morsid Andityas, Sirikachorn Tangkawattana, Banchob Sripa, Archie C A Clements BMJ Open.2022; 12(9): e064573. CrossRef
Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and genetic differentiation of Strongyloides stercoralis among migrant workers from Myanmar, Lao PDR and Cambodia in northeastern Thailand Wararat Sangwalee, Jun Norkaew, Sengchoy Inthachak, Penchom Janwan, Rutchanee Rodpai, Oranuch Sanpool, Lakkhana Sadaow, Patcharaporn Boonroumkaew, Pewpan M. Intapan, Wanchai Maleewong, Tongjit Thanchomnang, Raffi V. Aroian PLOS ONE.2022; 17(12): e0279754. CrossRef
Current status of human liver fluke infections in the Greater Mekong Subregion Banchob Sripa, Apiporn T. Suwannatrai, Somphou Sayasone, Dung Trung Do, Virak Khieu, Yichao Yang Acta Tropica.2021; 224: 106133. CrossRef
Paragonimus harinasutai metacercariae were found in a species of freshwater crab, Indochinamon ou, collected in a small stream of Namback District, Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR. Adult flukes were recovered after experimental infection of the metacercariae to dogs. Metacercariae were round or slightly elliptical, 0.666 × 0.626 mm in average size, and had a thin cyst wall of about 20 ?m in thickness, a black excretory bladder, convoluted ceca, and some pinkish materials in the body. Adults were somewhat elongated, 95.2 × 36.5 mm in average size, covered with single-tipped tegumental spines, had a smaller oral sucker than the ventral sucker, a moderately branched ovary, and 5-6 lobulated testes. Eggs were ovoid and bilaterally symmetrical in shape, 79 × 45 ?m in average size, and had a uniformly thickened shell. By the present study, it has been confirmed that I. ou is a new second intermediate host for P. harinasutai.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Considerable genetic diversity within Paragonimus heterotremus in Luang Prabang, northern Lao People's Democratic Republic Alongkorn Nonthapa, Rutchanee Rodpai, Tongjit Thanchomnang, Patcharaporn Boonroumkaew, Lakkhana Sadaow, David Blair, Pewpan M. Intapan, Wanchai Maleewong, Virasack Banouvong, Sakhone Laymanivong, Oranuch Sanpool Infection, Genetics and Evolution.2025; 128: 105718. CrossRef
Usefulness and limits of Ziehl-Neelsen staining to detect paragonimiasis in highly endemic tuberculosis areas Kethmany Ratsavong, Fabrice Quet, Fulgence Nzabintwali, Jeoffray Diendéré, Jacques Sebert, Michel Strobel, Yves Buisson Parasite Epidemiology and Control.2017; 2(1): 1. CrossRef
Morphological and molecular identification of a lung fluke, Paragonimus macrorchis (Trematoda, Paragonimidae), found in central Lao PDR and its molecular phylogenetic status in the genus Paragonimus Oranuch Sanpool, Pewpan Maleewong Intapan, Tongjit Thanchomnang, Penchom Janwan, Sakhone Laymanivong, Hiromu Sugiyama, Wanchai Maleewong Parasitology International.2015; 64(6): 513. CrossRef