Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Brazil: a systematic review

Celestino, A. O. and Vieira, S. C. F. and Lima, P. A. S. and Rodrigues, Lmcl and Lopes, I. R. S. and França, C. M. and Barreto, I. D. C. and Gurgel, R. Q.

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop (2021) 54: e00332021

DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0033-2021

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Parasitic infections are considered a major public health problem due to their associated morbimortality and negative impact on physical and intellectual development, especially in the at-risk pediatric group. Periodic prophylactic administration of antiparasitic agents against soil-transmitted helminths is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to control parasitic infections and disease burden. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Brazil. METHODS: We performed a systematic review by searching the literature found in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases, followed by a meta-analysis of the proportions from studies published in English, Portuguese, and/or Spanish from January 2000 to May 2018. This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42018096214). RESULTS: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (protozoa and/or helminths) in Brazil was 46% (confidence interval: 39-54%), with 99% heterogeneity. Prevalence varied by region: 37%, 51%, 50%, 58%, and 41% in the Southeast, South, Northeast, North, and Central-West regions, respectively. Most studies (32/40) evaluated children (\textless18 years) and found an average prevalence of 51%. Children also had the highest prevalence in all four regions: Central-West (65%), South (65%), North (58%), Northeast (53%), and Southeast (37%). However, most studies evaluated specific populations, which may have created selection bias. Presumably, this review of intestinal parasitic diseases in Brazil includes the most studies and the largest population ever considered. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections is high in Brazil, and anthelmintic drugs should be administered periodically as a prophylactic measure, as recommended by the WHO.

Citation

Celestino, A. O., Vieira, S. C. F., Lima, P. A. S., Rodrigues, L., Lopes, I. R. S., França, C. M., Barreto, I. D. C., & Gurgel, R. Q. (2021). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Brazil: a systematic review. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 54, e00332021. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0033-2021 Animals, Humans, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Prevalence, Brazil/epidemiology, Feces, *Helminths, *Anthelmintics/therapeutic use, *Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology

Keywords

• Animals
• Humans
• Child
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Prevalence
• Brazil/epidemiology
• Feces
• *Helminths
• *Anthelmintics/therapeutic use
• *Intestinal Diseases
• Parasitic/epidemiology