Intestinal parasites in children with diarrhea in El Salvador.

In a study of parasitological prevalence in El Salvador, stool specimens of 210 children with diarrhea were examined for intestinal parasites. In 104 cases (49%), intestinal helminths and protozoa were found. 53.4% of the specimens showed single infestation, 31.7% showed double. 3% triple and 1% quadruple infestation. Of the helminths, 31% were Trichuris trichiura, 18% Ascaris lumbricoides and 5% Hymenolepis nana. Of the pathogenic protozoa, 7% were identified as Giardia intestinalis, 6% Entamoeba histolytica, 4% Cryptosporidium sp. and 3% Blastocystis hominis.