Detection rate of common intestinal parasites in end stage renal disease patients under maintenance hemodialysis in Benha University Hospital, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Several parasites are responsible for life threatening infections in immunocompromisedpatients including those with chronic renal diseases. Determination of enteroparasitosis prevalence inpatients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) experiencing hemodialysis (HD) showed elevated rates ofinfection, primarily by protozoa.Objectives: To investigate the common intestinal parasites among patients with ESRD undergoing HD inBenha University Hospital.Subjects and Methods: This case-control research was performed on 57 patients subjected to HDand 60 apparently healthy people as control group with no history of kidney disorders or otherimmunosuppressive conditions in the control group. Age of participants ranged from 20-70 years in bothgroups. Three consecutive fresh fecal samples from all participants were obtained after completion of thequestionnaire and examined macroscopically and microscopically to identify various stages of commonpathogenic intestinal parasites using iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stains to detect protozoa.Results: The total rate of parasite infection was 68.4% and 48.3% in ESRD patients and control group,respectively. The discrepancies between the two groups were statistically significant. E. histolytica/E.dispar was the commonest parasite compared to other parasites in the two groups.Conclusion: In ESRD patients, a high detection rate of intestinal parasites was reported which can lead tosevere complications in these patients being immunocompromissed individuals. Hence, stool examintionshould also be integrated into the standard clinical care of these patients.