Abstract
Background: Intestinal parasites of humans are one of the most important health problems worldwide, especially those located in tropical and subtropical areas. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of intestinal parasites in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, in different parts of Iran. Patients and Methods: A total of 1520 stool samples were collected from patients with gastrointestinal disorders. The stool specimens were examined by direct wet mount, formalin-ether concentration and a modified version of the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Amoeba-positive samples were cultured for further differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii. DNA-based methods were used to differentiate these amoebas and to detect Cryptosporidium- positive samples. Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS ver. 16. Results: Out of the 1520 individuals studied, 153 (10.06%) were infected at least with one intestinal parasite. 781 (51.4%) of patients were male and 738 (48.6%) were female. The prevalence of protozoan parasites 148 (9.7%) was significantly higher than helminth parasites 5 (0.3%) (P < 0.001). The frequency of intestinal parasites was as follows: Blastocystis sp., 72 (4.73%); Giardia intestinalis, 35 (2.30%); Entamoeba coli 21 (1.38%); Endolimax nana 10 (0.92%); Cryptosporidium spp., 1 (0.06%); Entamoeba dispar, 1 (0.06%); Dientamoeba fragilis, 1 (0.06%); Hymenolepis nana, 3 (0.19%); Dicrocoelium dendriticum, 2 (0.13%). In five (0.32%) of the positive samples, co-infections with two parasites were found. G. intestinalis was more prevalent in male 22/35 (62.86%) than female 13/35 (37.14%) as well as in 0-9 years old group. In one sample Heterodera ova contained larva were seen. Conclusions: Blastocystis and G. intestinalis were the predominant intestinal parasites detected in patient with gastrointestinal disorders. The results indicated that the intestinal parasites, particularly helminth infections have been significantly declined in recent years.
Highlights
Intestinal parasites of humans are one of the most important health problems worldwide, especially those located in tropical and subtropical areas
Intestinal parasites comprise some of the most common and important parasites of human and they are regarded as an important public health problem of most communities, especially those situated in tropical and subtropical areas
The current study was performed to determine the frequency of the parasitic infections during 2012-2013 in patients with gastrointestinal disorders
Summary
Intestinal parasites of humans are one of the most important health problems worldwide, especially those located in tropical and subtropical areas. Patients and Methods: A total of 1520 stool samples were collected from patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Amoeba-positive samples were cultured for further differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii. DNA-based methods were used to differentiate these amoebas and to detect Cryptosporidium- positive samples. Recent estimates indicate that at least more than one-quarter of the world’s population are infected with intestinal parasites and most of them are people who live in developing countries [2, 3]. These parasites can cause severe illness and the mortality in endemic areas [4]. In Turkey, people who had unsanitary disposal of feces the prevalence of pathogenic parasites were high [5]
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