Prevalence of helmintic infections in Brazilian Maxakali indigenous: a repeated cross-sectional design

TL;DR

This study compares the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the Maxakali indigenous group in Brazil between 1972 and 2014, showing a decline but still high infection rates.

Contribution

The study provides a longitudinal comparison of helminthic infections in an indigenous group over 40 years, highlighting persistent neglect in public health.

Findings

Schistosoma mansoni positivity dropped from 67.4% in 1972 to 45.7% in 2014.

Hookworm positivity decreased from 72.9% in 1972 to 22.8% in 2014.

The Maxakali population remains neglected by health authorities, with high infection rates compared to Brazil's current epidemiology.

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal parasites is known to be high among Amerindian populations; further, there are serious problems in the healthcare of these populations in Brazil. The Maxakali, located in the northeastern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is an indigenous group that still preserves many of its cultural aspects. This study aimed to compare the positivity rate of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in this ethnic group in epidemiological surveys conducted in 1972 and 2014.

Stool parasitological examinations were performed by the Kato-Katz technique during both periods in this population. In 2014, the parasitological diagnosis was also realized with the TF-Test® technique.

In 1972, 270 inhabitants were examined. The positivity rates were 67.4% for Schistosoma mansoni, 72.9% for hookworms, 43.7% for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 23.7% for Trichuris trichiura. In 2014, 545 individuals were examined, and the positivity rates obtained were 45.7% for S. mansoni, 22.8% for hookworms, 0.6% for A. lumbricoides, and 2.8% for T. trichiura.

The comparison of the parasitological surveys conducted in 1972 and 2014, indicates that the indigenous Maxakali remained neglected by the health and indigenous protection authorities during these four decades. The infection rate observed in 2014 for schistosomiasis and hookworm remains high, considering the current epidemiological view of these diseases in the Brazilian population.

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