The quantitative formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique (QFEC) was compared to agar plate culture (APC) for the detection of Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. QFEC could substitute for APC only when the parasite load was higher than 50 larvae per g of stool. This study serves as a good reminder to those conducting stool exams about the sensitivity and specificity limitations of both techniques.

Human trichostrongylosis has been reported in Thailand. Recent reports in Lao People's Democratic Republic concerning species identification urged us to investigate species distribution in Thailand. We report eight human cases in Thailand and Lao People's Democratic Republic that were found to be infected by Trichostrongylus colubriformis and T. axei identified and confirmed by molecular techniques. This evidence is the first molecular evidence of human T. colubriformis and T. axei infection in Thailand. Infection by these two species was apparently epidemic in these areas. It is necessary to proceed with more comprehensive veterinary and epidemiologic studies to enable the practical prevention and control of this parasitic zoonosis.

DNA-sequencing was performed on the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA genes to investigate the microbial diversity of five samples of fermented freshwater fish (pla-ra) from three provinces in northeastern Thailand. The samples had salt concentrations ranging from 7 to 10%, pH values from 4.83 to 7.15, and D-/L-lactic acid concentrations of 90 to 450 mg/l. A total of 598 operational taxonomic units were annotated at various taxonomic ranks based on the SILVA Database. The lactic-acid and halophilic generaTetragenococcus,HalanaerobiumandLactobacilluswere among the dominant taxa of bacteria. The top 20 non-redundant taxa were considered in more detail. In twopla-rasamples,Tetragenococcus muriaticuswas commonly identified.Halanaerobium fermentanswas the most abundant species in a third sample and co-dominant in another sample.Lactobacillus renniniwas dominant in thepla-rasample from Roi Et Province. Additionally, other beneficial bacteria were detected includingStaphylococcus nepalensis,Lactobacillus sakei,Lactobacillus pentosus,Weissella confusa, andBifidobacterium bifidum. Differences between samples may be due to use of different raw materials, salt concentrations, recipes, processes and fermentation periods. The microbial communities inpla-raprovide a better understanding of the production outcomes of traditional products. Further optimization of the fermentation process, for example by using dominant bacterial taxa in starter cultures, may improve processes of food fermentation, food quality and flavor control, providing useful guidelines for industrial applications.

Two important helminths, Strongyloides stercoralis (an intestinal roundworm) and Opisthorchis viverrini (a liver fluke), are endemic in northeast Thailand. There have been national campaigns in place aimed at the control and eradication of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and opisthorchiasis in Thailand for several decades. However, these helminths still exist and raise concerns regarding public health. This study aimed to evaluate the current prevalence of S. stercoralis and O. viverrini infections in rural communities in northeast Thailand. The data from this study will be useful to improve strategies for future helminth prevention and control. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016 to June 2017 in Mueang Khon Kaen district in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and processed using agar plate culture to determine the presence of S. stercoralis infection and an in-house formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique to determine the presence of O. viverrini and other intestinal parasite infections (IPIs). In total, 602 persons were enrolled. However, only 526 were analyzed for S. stercoralis and 387 for O. viverrini risk factors. The overall prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was 23.0% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 19.4 to 26.6). The prevalence of O. viverrini infection and IPIs other than S. stercoralis was 20.4% (95%CI: 16.5 to 24.8). The prevalence of O. viverrini infection was 19.4% (95%CI: 15.6 to 23.7). Male sex was significantly associated with S. stercoralis infection [Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 4.0; 95%CI: 2.5 to 6.2; P-value < 0.001]. Males were significantly more likely to be infected with O. viverrini and other IPIs (aOR 4.1; 95%CI: 2.3 to 7.2, P-value < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the updated prevalence of intestinal parasite infections is still high in rural communities in northeast Thailand, especially that of strongyloidiasis and opisthorchiasis.