A Survey of Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection in Das Marinas Cavite

De La Salle University - Dasmariñas BIOLOGY PROGRAM

SURVEY OF Ascaris lumbricoides INFECTION IN

DASMARIŃAS CITY, CAVITE

A Research Paper presented to the faculty of the

Biological Sciences Department

College of Science

De La Salle University - Dasmariñas

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

in Medical Parasitology Lecture

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major in Human Biology

ROQUE, Jason R. RODRIN, Lauro Niño M. DEL RIO, Ma. Sheila S.

FRIAS, Abigail Pauline F. SOMEROS, Kristine Carl S.

HUB32


INTRODUCTION

Parasitism is a kind of symbiosis wherein one organism interacts with

another for its own benefit. It refers to any parasitic infection that could cause

harm to the host, or worst, this interaction could cause death. A parasite is an

organism that depend its growth, food, shelter and sometimes its lifecycle to

another kind of organism without any good contribution to the survival of its host.

Intestinal parasitism occurs throughout the world and increases as the year

pass through and as the economy gets poorer. According to World Health

Organization (WHO, 2011), 3.5 billion people worldwide are infested with some

type of intestinal parasite, and as many as 450 million of them are sick as a result

and children were the most infected with these parasites. These infections mostly

exist with poor sanitation and in tropical developing countries in Africa, Asia and

South America. It only spread in other countries when foreigners travel to the

remote areas, becomes a carrier of parasite on its own country.

Parasites found in the human gastrointestinal tract can be largely

categorized into two groups, protozoa and helminths. The soil-transmitted

helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura) are the most

prevalent, infecting an estimated one-sixth of the global population. Infection


rates are highest in children living in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Asia and

then Latin America and the Caribbean. (Harhay et al. 2010)

Ascaris lumbricoides is the prototypical large round worm of humans.

This is the human worm of folk lore, having a propensity to wander at times and

is known to occasionally exit the body through any orifice that has connection

with the small intestine. In addition it can reach impressive sizes, with females

reaching a length of 19 inches. Ascaris lumbricoides is estimated to live in the gut

of up to ¼ of the people in the world. It can live in this incredible number of

people because it is a relatively passive parasite. It lives freely in the small

intestine for most of its lifecycle, feeding on nutrients within the small bowel, and

not invading human tissues in its adult form, nor attaching to the gut wall.

(www.ascarislumbricoides.org)

Ascariasis is caused by consuming food or drink contaminated with

roundworm eggs. Ascariasis is the most common intestinal worm infection. It is

found in association with poor personal hygiene, poor sanitation, and in places

where human feces are used as fertilizer. Once consumed, the eggs hatch and

release immature roundworms called larvae within the small intestine. Within a

few days, the larvae then move through the bloodstream to the lungs, exit up

through the large airways of the lungs, and are swallowed back into the stomach

and reach the small intestine. During movement through the lungs the larvae may


produce an uncommon form of pneumonia called eosinophilic pneumonia. Once

they are back in the small intestine, the larvae mature into adult roundworms.

Adult worms live in the small intestine where they lay eggs that are present in

feces. They can live 10 – 24 months. It is estimated that 1 billion people are

infected worldwide. Ascariasis occurs in people of all ages, though children are

affected more severely than adults. (Dugdale et al. 2010)

Metro Manila is a place in the Philippines where there is a large number of

squatters’ area, poor families and street children. A research conducted by about

the intestinal parasitic infection said that 62% of the street infected by different

parasites. Multiple infections were observed in 34.2% of children, 36% has

Ascaris lumbricoides, 44.8% has Trichuris trichiura and 7.0% has hookworm. Of

the children examined, 47.7% were found to be harbouring parasitic protozoans

such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis. The

most prevalent of these protozoans was B. hominis with an infection rate of

40.7%. (Baldo et al. 2004)

The current momentum towards global drug delivery for their control is at

a historical high through the efforts of numerous initiatives increasingly acting in

coordination with donors, governments and local communities. Together, they

have delivered enormous quantities of drugs, especially anti-helmintics to

children through nationwide annual or biannual mass drug administration largely


coordinated through schools. However, a much larger and rapidly growing

childhood population in these regions remains untreated and suffering from more

than one parasite. Mass drug administration has profound potential for control but

is not without considerable challenges and concerns. A principal barrier is

funding. Stimulating a research and development pipeline, supporting the

necessary clinical trials to refine treatment, in addition to procuring and deploying

drugs (and sustaining these supply chains), requires substantial funding and

resources that do not presently exist. Limited options for chemotherapy raise

concerns about drug resistance developing through overuse, however, satisfactory

pharmacoepidemiology and monitoring for drug resistance requires more

developed health infrastructures than are generally available. Further, the limited

pharmacopeia does not include any effective second-line options if resistance

emerges, and the research and development pipeline is severely depressed.

Herein, we discuss the major gastrointestinal protozoa and helminths reviewing

their impact on child health, changing epidemiology and how this relates to their

control. (Harhay 2010)

Treatment includes medications that paralyze or kill intestinal parasitic

worms, such as albendazole or mebendazole. These drugs should not be used for

pregnant patients. Pyrantel pamoate is the preferred medication for pregnant

patients. If there is a blockage of the intestine caused by a large number of worms,

endoscopy to remove the worms or, rarely, surgery may be needed. Improved


sanitation and hygiene in developing countries will reduce the risk in those areas.

In areas where this disorder is common, routine or preventive (prophylactic)

treatment with deworming medications may be advised. (Dugdale 2010)

OBJECTIVES

1. To know the latest incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in

Dasmarińas City, Cavite.

2. To disseminate the current situation of the infection of the parasite in

Dasmarińas City, Cavite.

3. To give awareness to the community about the incidence of the

infection of the parasites in Dasmarińas City, Cavite.

METHODOLOGY

The research design of this study is a survey, descriptive type of research.

The research will focus on the incidence of the infection of Ascaris lumbricoides

in Dasmarińas City, Cavite. To give a full representation of the location given in

this research, the researchers will get data from different hospitals and barangay

clinics in Dasmarińas City, Cavite. Also, there will be some interview in different

location in Dasmarińas City, Cavite to give more vivid and clear view of the

current situation of infection of Ascaris lumbricoides.


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. Incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides per Barangay

(Records Section from each Barangay Clinic)

Barangay

Barangay Captain

Incidence

Report (2011)

Burol Main Nestor S. Jarin Sr. 14

Burol I Mary Ann E. Castor 12

Burol II Nora L. Allada 10

Burol III Edwin R. Camerino 6

Emmanuel Bergado I Winefredo R. Dedase Sr. 14

Emmanuel Bergado II Renie A. Reymundo 3

Fatima I Elsie A. Felismino 0

Fatima II Melchor D. Pacheco 2

Fatima III Antonio L. Ferrer 15

Langkaan I Teodorico S. Remulla 23

Langkaan II Danilo B. Laudato 27

Luzviminda I Bernardo A. Abelar Jr. 31

Luzviminda II Dennis D. Abayon 28

Paliparan I Remigio P. Beberino 11

Paliparan II Agripino V. Martinez 24

Paliparan III Eleuterio A. Guimbaolibot 4

Sabang Isagani B. Sapida Sr. 18

Salawag Enrico S. Paredes 3

Salitran I Neri J. Lara 18

Salitran II Feliciano C. Ilano 24

Salitran III Conrado J. Liwanag 29


Salitran IV Bienvenido O. Laurel 15

Sampaloc I Cirila A. Santarin 28

Sampaloc II Senando D. Mojica 31

Sampaloc III Herminio C. Catsao 24

Sampaloc IV Romeo J. Joson 17

Sampaloc V Rebecca E. Ordiales 19

San Agustin I Jeffrey F. Alvaran 4

San Agustin II Danilo B. Hembrador 9

San Agustin III Eduardo S. Gracia 6

San Andres I Edwin L. Astorga 18

San Andres II Siegfred V. Yorac 24

San Antonio De Padua I Carter P. Manzano 34

San Antonio De Padua II Ernesto D. Desoloc 38

San Dionisio Dominador C. Narido Jr. 12

San Esteban Rolando V. Viray 15

San Francisco I Virgilio D. Delfin 0

San Francisco II Nemencio T. Ramos 3

San Isidro Labrador I Luis L. Estrabela 6

San Isidro Labrador II Mario B. Olaes 1

San Jose Edmundo M. Dela Cruz 14

San Juan Cesar P.Bondad 25

San Lorenzo Ruiz I Reynaldo S. Dinero 21

San Lorenzo Ruiz II Nonilon P. Adena 34

San Luis I Henry P. Omilio 27

San Luis II Erlindino J. Patalbo 19

San Manuel I Levi B.Fructouso 43

San Manuel II Jorge Carlo D. Magno 37

San Mateo Josefina S. Gallego 15


San Miguel I Angelo C. Hugo 16

San Miguel II James Abner B. Magno 23

San Nicolas I Jovito A. Paciones 31

San Nicolas II Teresita P. Yap 26

San Roque Matranilo V. Pamatian 14

San Simon Anicia N. Austria 11

St. Peter I Norberto A. Villaruz 17

St. Peter II Teodoro M. Anciano 23

Sta. Cristina I Gloria E. Bacomo 21

Sta. Cristina II Tita A. Nanoy 15

Sta. Cruz I Santiago B. Andrada 14

Sta. Cruz II Renerio G. Torrefiel 27

Sta. Fe Mamerto B. Noora Jr. 21

Sta. Lucia Mariano C. Potente 17

Sta. Maria Nelson P. Velasquez 14

Sto. Cristo Rodrigo J. Estrada 18

Sto. Nino I Romeo D. Escaros 16

Sto. Nino II Renilo M. Teves 26

Sultan Esmael Dirimpasan U. Pangandag 38

H2 Ramiro Mabini L. Podaca 36

Victoria Reyes Leonardo P. Herman 16

Zone I Antonio G. Ilano 14

Zone IA Aquino I. Garcia 26

Zone II Renato R. Dela Rea 21

Zone III Eric S. Aledia 19

Zone IV Resty M. Encabo 30


With regards to the data gathered in the barangays, the records show that

there are different, yet quite similar and close figures in the incidence of Ascaris

lumbricoides per barangay. According to the data presented by the barangay

clinics (others are taken from medical records of the barangay), Barangay San

Manuel I have the highest incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides through-out the year

of 2011. We have known that the Barangay San Manuel I is prone to Ascaris

lumbricoides infection due to the improper hygiene of the families living there.

Mostly of the families living in this barangay are below the poor level status.

Also, we have noticed that there are so many domesticated and stray animals in

the area that might cause the high incidence report of the infection. However, San

Francisco I and Fatima I have no incidence report of Ascaris lumbricoides.

According to the barangay officials / barangay clinic personnel they have been

eradicating the parasites almost 5 years ago and it really help them to lessen the

incidence of Ascariasis in the barangay. They have activities such as, Cleaning

Program, Animal Care Program, and even educating each household through

seminars with regards to the infection that might cause them by Ascaris

lumbricoides. The mean average of the incidence reports of all the 75 barangays

are 18 cases which is not really high. Some of the barangays have 20 cases above

while some have less than 20. The cases of each barangay are different from each

other because of proper maintenance of the community.


From the interview transcriptions (Appendix C) of different personalities

in the barangays, most of them don’t have much knowledge with regards to the

infection, prevention and treatment of Ascariasis. Some individuals do know what

are the causes and effects of this parasite but does not doing much action in order

to eradicate the infection of Ascaris lumbricoides. Also, most of the officials in

the barangay are not aware of what to do in order to lessen the cases of Ascariasis.

RECOMMENDATION

Community

Make sure that the household is clean and free from the feces

(dried) of stray and even domesticated animals. Be clean in preparing food

for the family.

Barangay Officials

Organize programs and activities to educate the community with

regards to the parasites, not only Ascaris lumbricoides, which might infect

the community. Establish well maintained and clean community to lessen

the cases of Ascariasis or even other related cases.

For the study: Future Researchers

Gather data at least 5 to 10 years ago to see the trend of the disease

so that the community will be able to know and eradicate/lessen the cases

that might arise in the years to come.


REFERENCES

Baldo, Eleonor T., Belizario, Vicente Y., De Leon, Winifreda U., Kong, Hyun-

Hee., & Chung, Dong-II. 2004. Infection status of intestinal parasites in

children in living in residential institution in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Korean Journal Parasitology. 2004. 10.3347/kjp.2004.42.2.67.

Harhay, Michael O., Horton, John, Olliaro, Pierro O. 2010. Special Focus:

Pediatrics Infections – Review. Epidemiology and control of human

gastrointestinal parasites in children. Epidemic Review of Anti-infective

Therapy. Volume No. 8. Pp 219 – 234. doi:10.1586/eri.09.119.

Ascaris lumbricoides. www.ascarislumbricoides.org

Dugdale, David C., Vyas, Jatin M., Zieve, David. 2010. Ascariasis. [Cited

December 10, 2011] Available from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

medlineplus/ency/article/000628.htm

http://dx.crossref.org/10.3347%2Fkjp.2004.42.2.67

http://www.ascarislumbricoides.org/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/%20medlineplus/ency/article/000628.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/%20medlineplus/ency/article/000628.htm


APPENDIX A

Head, Medical Records Sections __________________, Barangay Dasmarińas City, Cavite

Dear Sir / Madame:

We, the student of De La Salle University – Dasmarińas taking up

Bachelor of Science in Biology major in Human Biology is conducting a research

focused on the infection of Ascaris lumbricoides in Dasmarińas City, Cavite. This

is partial fulfilment of the requirements in the subject of Medical Parasitology.

In line with this, may we request your good office to let us have a copy of

the current / latest statistics on the incidence of Ascariasis. This will be very

helpful to us in a way that we could know that current situation of Dasmarińas

City, Cavite when it comes to the infection of Ascaris lumbricoides.

Thank you and we are hoping for your positive response.

Jason R. Roque Ma. Sheila S. Del Rio Kristine Carl S. Someros

Lauro Nino M. Rodrin Abigail Pauline F. Frias

Noted by:

Dr. Cristina Salibay Medical Parasitology – Professor


APPENDIX B

Interview Question

Date: Time:

Name of Interviewer:

Name of Interviewee:

Position :

Questions:

1. Are you aware of Ascaris lumbricoides?

2. Are you aware of the infection of Ascaris lumbricoides (Ascariasis)?

3. Do you know what would be the causes of Ascariasis in humans?

4. Do you know what are the symptoms of Ascariasis?

5. What would be the preventive measures that you are doing in order to

eradicate Ascariasis?

6. What are the treatments and solution that you do if there is someone who

has infected with Ascaris lumbricoides?


APPENDIX C

Interview Transcriptions

Date: February 2, 2012 Time: 5:32 PM

Name of Interviewer: Kristine Carl S. Someros

Name of Interviewee: Mrs. Melinda G. Santiago

Position : Housewife

Questions:


Hindi.


Hindi, kasi wala akong ideya tungkol sa mga ganyang bagay.


Hindi.


Hindi.



Wala akong ideya talaga kasi wala naman mga nasasabi sa aming ganyan.



Siguro, ipakunsulta sa duktor na may alam tungkol sa ganitong

bagay.



Name of Interviewer: Ma. Sheila S. Del Rio

Name of Interviewee: Mrs. Avegail Mijares

Position : Vendor


Oo.


Oo


Ang pagkakaalam ko nakukuha yan sa mga dumi ng kung mga hayop.


Ang pagsakit ng tiyan at pagsusuka.



Ang pagiging malinis sa sarili at ang pagkain ng tamang pagkain.



Uminom ng gamot para mawal ito.



Name of Interviewer: Lauro Nino M. Rodrin

Name of Interviewee: Mr. Romero Rodriguez

Position : Carpenter


Oo.


Oo


Yun ba ung paginom ng yung madumi [contaminated] na tubig.


Payat at nagsusuka.



Maglinis ng paligid para walang dumi na mapupunta sa mga pagkain.



Magpatingin sa duktor.



Name of Interviewer: Jason R. Roque

Name of Interviewee: Mr. Jan Brian Roque

Position : Biology Teacher


Yes.


Yes.


Mga dumi ng hayop na pwedeng mapunta sa mga pagkain o kahit yung mainhale ng tao.


Pagsusuka, nagtatae, pagsakit ng tiyan, yung iba ay nagkakasakit

ng mga gastro-intestinal na sakit.



Ang paglilinis ng paligid. Paglinis especially yung mga dumi ng hayop.



Magpadeworm at magpakonsulta sa duktor.



Name of Interviewer: Abigail Pauline F. Frias

Name of Interviewee: Ms. Anita Sarmiento

Position : Fish Vendor


Hindi.


Hindi.


Hindi eh.


Pagsusuka diba?



Siguro dapat maging malinis sa katawan.



Uminom ng gamut.




Name of Interviewee: Mr. Roger Domingo

Position : Jeepney Driver


Anu ba yun?


Hindi eh. Yun ba ung mga uod?


Hindi.


Payat at nagsusuka.



Maglinis ng paligid para walang dumi na mapupunta sa mga pagkain.



Magpatingin sa duktor.



Name of Interviewer: Kristine Carl S. Someros

Name of Interviewee: Ms. Cindy Daguil

Position : Sales lady


Yes. Ito yun mga worms sa tiyan diba?


Hindi masyado, but some siguro.


Sa pagkain ng hindi nilinis ng mabuti or ung mga hindi lutong- luto.


Hindi eh.



Huwag kumain ng mga raw napagkain o yung mga hindi pa lutong-luto. Tapos linisin yung mga pagkain bago lutuin.



Yung mga gamut sa worms.




Name of Interviewee: Mr. Mackol Rginales

Position : Student


Yes.


Not quite.


Yes. Those street foods.


Stomach ache, I think.



I’m not really eating street foods. I know that’s one.



Not yet experience it.


Date: February 9, 2012 Time: 8:24 AM

Name of Interviewer: Lauro Nino M. Rodrin

Name of Interviewee: Ms. Leticia Alvaran

Position : Turon Vendor


Hindi ko alam yun eh.


Sorry, no idea.


(No answer)


(No answer)



Linis lang siguro yan.



Inom ng gamot.


Date: February 14, 2012 Time: 9:30 AM


Name of Interviewee: Mr. Raymark Quilicol

Position : Student


Medyo.


Infection? Ahm. Hindi eh.


Ah. Sa pagkain yan noh?


(No answer)



Maging malinis sa pagluluto.



Punta sa hospital.

Documents

A Survey of Ascaris Lumbricoides Infection in Das Marinas Cavite