World Health Organization Background Intestinal parasites IP are a group of cosmopolitan parasites that include protozoan and helminth species.
These IP, especially some protozoans, affect both rural and urban human populations. Moreover, some species are more prevalent in populations with poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene WASH , including soil-transmitted helminths STH [ 1 ]. The different species of STH, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus are endemic in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and are included in the list of the 20 neglected tropical diseases NTDs recently updated by the World Health Organization WHO [ 2 ].
Although Strongyloides stercoralis is a STH, it is not included in this group because of its specific characteristics with respect to diagnosis, quantification and treatment [ 3 ]. These diseases have a high burden that affect millions of people worldwide. An estimation for S. The prevalence of IP in the population is tied to various factors. Studies conducted in urban, peri-urban and rural population of northern Argentina and other parts of the world, observed different prevalences of IP depending on socioeconomic status, sanitary and environmental conditions and access to water [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].
This is mainly due to the transmission route of several IP, through soil and food contamination as well as faecal contamination of water used for drinking and cooking. Moreover, other conditions like overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of hygiene habits and waste management and treatment also influence prevalence [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Most of the studies conducted in Argentina have focused on school-aged populations; individuals infected with protozoans Giardia intestinalis, Blastocystis hominis and amoebas , helminths Enterobius vermicularis and Hymenolepis nana and STH were detected in both rural and peri-urban areas.
The most prevalent parasites detected were G. High prevalences of STH species transmitted through skin penetration have also been detected [ 21 , 25 , 26 ]. The current treatment and control of STH in endemic areas provide a good strategy for the control of morbidity, but are not enough to interrupt transmission, which would require improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene WASH.
