Prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal acaroid mite and helminthic infection among school-aged children in Northern Egypt

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Abdo S.M.; Tahoun M.M.; El-Wakil E.S.; Edmardash Y.A.; El-Taweel H.A.; Elhadad H.; Hamdy H.; Ghazy R.M.
Journal: Journal of Parasitic Diseases
Publisher: Springer
Publication Date: 18 July 2025
Volume / Issue: Volume 50 / Issue 1
Pages: 197–203
ISSN: 9717196
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-025-01835-x
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Abdo S.M., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, 35516, Egypt; Tahoun M.M., Department of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; El-Wakil E.S., Department of Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Edmardash Y.A., Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; El-Taweel H.A., Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Elhadad H., Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Hamdy H., Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Ghazy R.M., Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, Family and Community Medicine Department College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Intestinal acaroid mite infection is a neglected rare health problem. In Egypt, several studies have investigated the prevalence of domestic mites, but few studies discussed intestinal acariasis and its associated risk factors. The present study aimed to detect the prevalence of intestinal acariasis and other helminthic infections in stool samples of school children in Kafr El-sheikh, Egypt. A total of 353 children were recruited. For each child, three stool samples were collected over three consecutive days and two Kato Katz slides were prepared from each sample. Different risk factors associated with parasitic infection were investigated through pre-designed structured interviewing questionnaire. About 70 (19.8%) children were infected with one or more parasites. Among them, 24 (34.2%) children had mite (Tyrophagus sp.) in one or more stool samples. Of the 24 cases, five cases had mite in all three stool samples. Out of the 70 infected children, 51 (72.8%) had helminthic infections: Fasciola spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Schistosoma mansoni and Enterobius vermicularis (15.7% 8.5% 28.5% 7.1% and 15.7%, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed age, having a working mother, raising animals and not receiving praziquantel treatment as independent risk factor for mite infestation. To our knowledge, this is the first report which detected a relatively high prevalence of intestinal acariasis in school children in Egypt. Broader studies should be done to investigate the source of mite infestation. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2025.
Keywords
Egypt; Helminthic; Infection; Intestinal acariasis; praziquantel; abdominal pain; adult; Article; Ascaris lumbricoides; child; coinfection; cross-sectional study; diagnostic accuracy; diarrhea; Enterobius vermicularis; Fasciola; feces analysis; headache; helminthiasis; human; Hymenolepis; major clinical study; microscopy; mite infestation; nonhuman; parasite; parasitosis; preschool child; prevalence; questionnaire; risk factor; Schistosoma mansoni
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 0
For comprehensive information about the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), its institutional activities, scientific and research achievements, clinical and hospital services, and the diverse expertise offered through its 22 specialized research and clinical departments, as well as opportunities for professional training, specialized workshops, and scientific conferences, readers are invited to visit the Institute’s official website.
The website provides regularly updated information on the Institute’s latest news, research activities, scientific initiatives, clinical services, institutional programs, and academic and professional opportunities.
English Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/en/
Arabic Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/ar/
Prepared and Uploaded by:
Abdalla F. Abdalla
Electronic Portal Unit
