Prevalence and Risk Factors of Entamoeba spp. Infection among the Temiar Subtribe in Pos Piah, Sungai Siput, Malaysia

Tang, Patrick Chun Hean (2017) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Entamoeba spp. Infection among the Temiar Subtribe in Pos Piah, Sungai Siput, Malaysia. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica,the causative agent of amoebiasis is prevalent globally and especially highly endemic among the aboriginal and rural communities. This study was conducted as there are limited studies on the epidemiology of E. histolytica in Malaysia and other countries in general; almost all previous studies relied on microscopy stool analysis which is incapable of identifying pathogenic E. histolytica. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Entamoeba spp.infections among indigenous people in Pos Piah, Sungai Siput, Malaysia as well also differentiate E. histolytica from E. moshkovskii and E. dispar using phylogenetic analysis.Fecal samples were collected from 104 participants from the Temiar subtribe village in Pos Piah and examined by formalin-ether sedimentation method before subjected to nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information was collected using questionnaire. The overall prevalence of Entamoebaspp.infection was 15.38% (95%CI= 8.5-22.3).Single helminth infections between Entamoeba spp. and Trichuris trichiura was the highest at 9.62% (95%CI= 3.9- 15.3) followed by Ascaris spp. at 5.77% (95%CI= 1.3- 10.3). There are occurrence of double helminth infections at 3.85% (95%CI= 0.2 -7.5). The study showed no significant association with Entamoeba spp. infections among all the risk factors investigated including water source, latrine availability and bathing in river to name a few. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the samples showed a high inter-nod value of 0.75 to E. histolytica reference sequences and are separated from the morphological similar E. moshkovskii and E. dispar. The study reported the prevalence rate of Entamoeba spp. infection is relatively high among the indigenous communities at 15.38%. Control and preventive measures including personal hygiene, proper sanitation and drinking safe water are needed in attempt to lower the Entamoeba spp. infections