Title: High prevalence of intestinal pathogens in indigenous in Colombia

Abstract

Background: Intestinal infectionsremain a majorpublichealthburden in developing countries. Due tosocial, ecological, environmental and culturalconditions, Indigenouspeoples in Colombia are at particularly high risk. Materials: 137 stool samples were analyzed by microscopy and realtime-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), targetingprotozoanparasites (Giardiaintestinalis, Entamoebahistolytica, Cryptosporidiumspp., and Cyclosporacayetanensis), bacteria(Campylobacterjejuni, Salmonella spp., Shigellassp./enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), Yersiniaspp., enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli ( EPEC), enterotoxin-producing E. coli(ETEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and Tropherymawhipplei), andhelminths (Necatoramericanus, Strongyloidesstercoralis, Ascarislumbricoides, Ancylostomaspp., Trichuris. trichiura, Taeniaspp., Hymenolepisnana, Enterobiusvermicularis, andSchistosomaspp.). Microscopy found additional cases of helminthinfections. Results: At least one pathogen was detected in 93% ofthesamples.The overallresultsrevealedprotozoa in 79%, helminths in 69%, andbacteria in 41%. G. intestinalis (48%), Necator/hookworm (27%), and EAEC (68%) werethemostcommon in eachgroup.Noteworthy, T. whipplei was positive in 7% and T. trichirua in 23% ofthesamples. A significant association of one infection promoting theother was determinedfor G. intestinalisand C. jejuni, helminthinfections, and EIEC. Conclusions: The resultsillustratethe high burden of gastrointestinal pathogens among Indigenous peoples compared too the developing countries.Counter measures are urgently required.