Soil-transmitted helminth eggs collected from Bay and Los Baños, Laguna and some environmental factors affecting their prevalence

Date

2011

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Vachel Gay V. Paller

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are considered to be the most common disease-causing parasites worldwide. However, in the Philippines studies were focused on human infections and there is paucity in knowledge regarding the degree of STH contamination in soil. This study determined the extent of STH eggs contamination in soils of Bay and Los Baños, Laguna. Correlation of some environmental factors affecting their prevalence was also determined. Soil samples were collected from public schools, backyards and empty lots in three and five barangays in Bay and Los Baños, respectively. Presence of STH eggs were examined using modified sucrose flotation technique. Of the 320 soil samples collected, 166 (52%) were found positive for STH eggs. Bay and Los Baños showed 58% (70/120) and 48% (96/200) prevalence, respectively. Toxocara sp. (45%) was found to be the most prevalent parasite followed by Ascaris sp. (7.5%), hookworms (3%), and Trichuris sp. (2%). Moreover, the level of contamination was at 9 and 3 eggs per gram soil for Bay and Los Baños, respectively. Results showed that there were no significant differences among soil samples collected from public schools, backyards and empty lots. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between prevalence of STH eggs with some environmental factors such as soil pH (r2= -0.567), soil temperature (r2 = 0.343), and soil moisture (r2= 0.036). However, the soil type showed a positive correlation with STH eggs prevalence, i.e., STH eggs were found prevalent in silty, sandy, and loamy but not in clayey types of soil. The results of this study may provide information on the extent of STH eggs soil contamination in the environment that could be due to pets and other domestic animals which may pose potential zoonotic transmission.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Document Type

Thesis

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