The adverse consequences of heavy Trichuris infection

Sixty-seven children with heavy Trichuris trichiura infection (Group A) were compared to 73 control children of similar socio-economic status but with light or no T. trichiura (Group B), for nutritional status, rates of concomitant bacterial and protozoal, and symptoms and clinical signs associated with heavy T. trichiura infection. Anoscopy was used to determine heavy T. trichiura infection. Measurements and physical examination were done on Group A on admission to and discharge from hospital; 46% were seen on follow-up visit two to eight months later. Children in Group B were seen only once. There were significant differences for nutritional status (p < 0·01) and rates of bacterial and protozoal co-infection (p < 0·01) and a significantly greater rate of invasive amoebiasis in Group A. After treatment, nutritional parameters of Group A children improved significantly, symptoms and clinical signs decreased and there was also a significant decrease in the rate of concomitant bacterial and protozoal infection. Subgroups of Group A children, with and without concomitant enteropathogens, revealed that infection with Entamoeba histolytica and bacterial enteropathogens had had no significant impact on clinical and nutritional status.