High Prevalence of Intestinal Pathogens in Indigenous in Colombia

Background: Intestinal infections remain a major public health burden in developing countries. Due to social, ecological, environmental, and cultural conditions, Indigenous peoples in Colombia are at particularly high risk. Materials: 137 stool samples were analyzed by microscopy and real-time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), targeting protozoan parasites (Giardia intestinalis,Entamoeba histolytica,Cryptosporidiumspp., andCyclospora cayetanensis), bacteria (Campylobacter jejuni,Salmonellaspp.,Shigellassp./enteroinvasiveE. coli(EIEC),Yersiniaspp., enterohemorrhagicE. coli(EHEC), enteropathogenicE. coli(EPEC), enterotoxin-producingE. coli(ETEC), enteroaggregativeE. coli(EAEC), andTropheryma whipplei), and helminths (Necator americanus,Strongyloides stercoralis,Ascaris lumbricoides,Ancylostomaspp.,Trichuris. trichiura,Taeniaspp.,Hymenolepis nana,Enterobius vermicularis, andSchistosomaspp.). Microscopy found additional cases of helminth infections. Results: At least one pathogen was detected in 93% of the samples. The overall results revealed protozoa in 79%, helminths in 69%, and bacteria in 41%.G. intestinalis(48%), Necator/hookworm (27%), and EAEC (68%) were the most common in each group. Noteworthy,T. whippleiwas positive in 7% andT. trichiruain 23% of the samples. A significant association of one infection promoting the other was determined forG. intestinalisandC. jejuni, helminth infections, and EIEC. Conclusions: The results illustrate the high burden of gastrointestinal pathogens among Indigenous peoples compared to other developing countries. Countermeasures are urgently required.