Prevalence of intestinal capillariasis and other intestinal parasitoses in selected villages in two municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines: results of an active surveillance activity, 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2026.17.3.1141Keywords:
foodborne helminths, capillariasis, surveillance, epidemiologyAbstract
Objective: In countries such as the Philippines where the consumption of raw fish is common, fish-borne helminthic diseases such as heterophyidiasis and capillariasis are a particular concern. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of capillariasis and other intestinal parasitoses in two municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte province, Philippines, using a proposed set of selection criteria for active case finding.
Methods: Villages were selected for active case finding using the following criteria: proximity to a body of freshwater; reports of residents with chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain or discomfort; reports of the consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked freshwater fish by residents; and reported cases of intestinal capillariasis in the past 3 years. Study participants were patients with a history of consuming raw or undercooked fish, diarrhoea lasting more than 2 weeks, or abdominal pain or discomfort. Stool samples were examined using a direct faecal smear and modified Kato-Katz technique.
Results: The prevalence of capillariasis among the 235 study participants was 7.2%. The highest prevalence was seen in males aged 19–45 years. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis was 16.2%; schistosomiasis, 2.1%; heterophyidiasis, 2.6%; taeniasis, 1.7%; and intestinal protozoan infections, 1.3%. An incidental finding of paragonimiasis was seen in one participant.
Discussion: Intestinal capillariasis remains a public health challenge in Zamboanga del Norte, underscoring the need for active surveillance and early diagnosis of capillariasis and other foodborne helminthiases in areas where the consumption of raw or undercooked fish is common. The selection criteria for case finding used in this study may be further refined and tested to provide the basis of an active surveillance protocol for these diseases.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Taggart G Siao, Jenelle G Sambo, Lorenzo M de Guzman, Rupert SC Chua, Neo WT Folgo, Eduardo Luayon, Mark Lindo Brodith, Shaheeda T Hassiman, Vicente Y Belizario Jr
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