Sains Malaysiana 41(9)(2012): 1095–1098

Infeksi Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau dispar dalam Kalangan Kanak-Kanak Orang Asli

di Pos Sungai Rual, Jeli, Kelantan

(Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar Infection Amongst the Orang Asli Children

at Pos Sungai Rual, Jeli, Kelantan)

Mariam Ahmad Zawawi¹, Mohamed Kamel Abd Ghani^2,*, Hartini Yusof³, Norhisham Haron³, Geishamini Gopal² & Hidayatulfathi Othman²

¹Jabatan Patologi, Klinik Kesihatan, Daerah Jeli, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia

²Jabatan Sains Bioperubatan, Fakulti Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

50300 Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

³Fakulti Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kampus Puncak Alam

42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 19 Disember 2011 / Diterima: 21 Mei 2012

ABSTRAK

Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar merupakan protozoa usus yang mempunyai prevalens infeksi yang tinggi dalam kalangan masyarakat pedalaman terutamanya masyarakat Orang Asli. Ia tersebar secara meluas di kawasan tropika dan subtropika serta di negara membangun berbanding negara maju. Sebanyak 111 sampel feses kanak-kanak Orang Asli daripada suku kaum Jahai telah diterima dan disaring untuk Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar menggunakan kaedah apusan langsung yang memberi hasil positif terhadap 43 sampel atau 38.7%. Oleh sebab amaun sampel yang diterima adalah sedikit, hanya 66 sampel feses sahaja yang dapat diperiksa menggunakan tiga jenis teknik diagnostik berbeza iaitu apusan langsung, kekepatan formalin-eter dan pewarnaan trikrom. Hasil kajian mendapati, prevalens yang tinggi bagi infeksi Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar iaitu 50% menggunakan ketiga-tiga teknik diagnosis. Prevalens infeksi yang tinggi juga turut ditunjukkan pada kanak-kanak perempuan iaitu 62.5% berbanding kanak-kanak lelaki 30.8% (p<0.05). Selain itu, daripada segi umur, kanak-kanak yang berumur 7-9 tahun adalah lebih terdedah kepada infeksi Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar dengan prevalens 60.7% (p>0.05). Teknik pewarnaan trikrom menunjukkan pengesanan 100% ke atas infeksi Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar, diikuti teknik kepekatan formalin-eter 78.8% dan apusan langsung 72.7%. Prevalens infeksi Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar yang tinggi dalam kalangan kanak-kanak Orang Asli di Pos Sungai Rual ini berhubungkait dengan pelbagai faktor iaitu status sosioekonomi yang rendah, kekurangan pengetahuan tentang penjagaan kesihatan serta kebersihan diri yang rendah. Peningkatan prevalens infeksi dalam kajian ini juga menunjukkan pentingnya penggunaan teknik diagnostik yang lebih berkesan dalam pemeriksaan rutin bagi mendapatkan hasil diagnosis yang lebih tepat.

Kata kunci: Entamoeba histolytica dan/atau Entamoeba dispar; Orang Asli; Protozoa usus

ABSTRACT

Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar is an intestinal protozoa that has a high prevalence of infection among the indigenous aboriginal community. It is widespread in tropical and subtropical areas and in developing countries compared with developed countries. A total of 111 fecal samples of aboriginal children from the Jahai tribe was screened for Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar using the direct smear technique which yielded 43 positive samples with a prevalence of 38.7%. Due to inadequate amount of the fecal samples, only 66 samples were examined with three different diagnostic techniques i.e. direct smear, formalin-ether concentration and trichrome staining. The results showed high prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar with 50% prevalence using all three diagnostic techniques. The high prevalence of infection was also demonstrated in female children at 62.5% compared with 30.8% in the males (p<0.05). In terms of age, children aged 7-9 years old were more vulnerable to Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar infection, at 60.7% prevalence (p>0.05). Trichrome staining technique demonstrated 100% detection for Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar infection followed by formalin-ether concentration technique at 78.8% and 72.7% for direct smear. Higher prevalence of infection among aboriginal children in Pos Sungai Rual was associated with various factors such as low socioeconomic status, lack of knowledge on health care and poor hygiene. The high prevalence of infection in this study is also attributed to various diagnostic techniques employed, indicating the importance of the use of a more effective diagnostic method in the routine diagnosis for intestinal parasites.

Keywords:  Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar; intestinal protozoa; Orang Asli

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*Pengarang surat-menyurat; email: mkamal@medic.ukm.my