INTESTINAL PARASITE SURVEY IN MARSILTALL ISLANDS
4 contributing factor in the incidence of eosinophils.
It is obvious from the high incidence of parasitism in sll age groups that fecal contamination
is widespread and that infections begin to be
acquired early in life. Although individual
Marshallese are generally neat and clean locking,
their simple sanitary facilities and rural life
make it likely that fecal contamination is 4
continuing affair. The concentration of Giardia
in children conforms to the usual picture for
the incidence of this parasite. It would be unwise
to ascribe special reasons for differences in
infections between the sexes. Not enough indiyiduals
were
examined,
differences show
no
simple pattern, and the unsettled living conditions of these people during the past few years
und ubteily has upset their usual daily routine.
The findinzs of the U.S.S. Whidbcyare similar
to ours in the almost complete absence of Acsaris
and in the hookworm Jevel. We found about 3
times as many Trichuris, but this may have
been due to better examination facilities and
opportunities. The low incidence of Ascaris
on these Islands contrast with the high rates
reportcd by the Whidbey for Saipan (44.2%)
and Palau (16.8%). It would seem that a real
biological phcnoienon is indicated
by
the
Ascaris/Trichuris ratio of the Marshalls versus
the rest of the “nearby” islands.
SUMMARY
1, A survey is reported of intestinal parasitism occurring in 69 Marshall Islunders exposed
to radioactive fall-out four years previously.
This is compared with parasitic infections accurring in 112 nonexposed Marshall Islanders.
2. No significant difference was found be-
423
tween the two groups. The over-all rates for
Entamoeba histolytica, Trichurts trichtura and
hookworm were 18.2, 34.3 and 5.5 per cent,
respectively. No other important parasitic patho-
gens were found. Infected individuals generally
had low worm burdens and noneof the amebiasis
cases showed clinical symptoms attributable
to this infection.
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1. Beaver, P. C., 1949 Quantative hookworm
diagnosis by direct smear. J. Parestt. 3a:
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S., asp Wepes, E. A., Jr. 1955. Medical
Exemination of Rongelap People Six Montks
After Exposure to Fallout. WT-937, Operation Castile Addendum Report 4.14.
3. Brookhaven National Laboratory Report
No.
384(T-71),
1955.
Twelve-Month
Post-
Exposure Survey on Marshallese Exposed to
Fallout Radiation.
4. Conarp, R. A., Huaorns, C. E., Cannon, B.,
Lowenr, A., aND Ricuaups, J. B., 1957.
Medical survey of Marshallese two years
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H., 1955. March 1957 Medical Survey of
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6. Cronxrmirs, Li. P., Bono, ¥. P., anp Denitam,
C. L., 1956. The Effects of Ionizing Radistion on Fluman Beings. U.S. Atomic Energy
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7. Military Geography of the Northern Marshalls,
1956. Prepsred under the direction of the
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Headauuarters, United States Army Forces
Far Eust, and Eighth United States Army,
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& Rireme, L. & , 1048. An ether sedimentation
technique for routine stool examinations,
Bull. U.S. Army Afed. Dept. 8: 326.