Abstract

 Introduction: The main group of helminthic infections in Europe includes soil-transmitted helminthiases as well as alimentary helminthiases and cestodes. Typical finds of coprological analyses in our climatic conditions include intestinal nematodes, tapeworms and intestinal protozoa.
 Objectives: The primary objective of our study was to analyse changes in the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Slovakia.
 Methods: The authors studied the prevalence of intestinal parasites in coprological samples taken from patients in Central Slovakia. Stool samples were prepared and analysed using an optical microscope with 160 – 400 x magnification.
 Results: The most prevalent types of intestinal protozoa were Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba coli. The most widespread species of helminths was Enterobius vermicularis. Since 2006, the prevalence of intestinal parasites has rapidly dropped in comparison to the 90s (0.44 % versus 1.32 % of positive findings, respectively).
 Conclusion: The results show values rapidly decreasing towards zero for the prevalence of geohelminths and a significant decrease in intestinal protozoa. The authors propose possible epidemiological reasons for this sharp decrease, which points to the potential near elimination of intestinal parasites as a result of improvement in water management, waste management, personal hygiene, maintenance of public spaces as sandpits and parks.
Highlights
The main group of helminthic infections in Europe includes soil-transmitted helminthiases as well as alimentary helminthiases and cestodes
The results show values rapidly decreasing towards zero for the prevalence of geohelminths and a significant decrease in intestinal protozoa
The authors propose possible epidemiological reasons for this sharp decrease, which points to the potential near elimination of intestinal parasites as a result of improvement in water management, waste management, personal hygiene, maintenance of public spaces as sandpits and parks
Summary
The main group of helminthic infections in Europe includes soil-transmitted helminthiases as well as alimentary helminthiases and cestodes. Typical finds of coprological analyses in our climatic conditions include intestinal nematodes, tapeworms and intestinal protozoa. Typical finds of coprological analyses in our climatic conditions include intestinal nematodes such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Enterobius vermicularis; tapeworms such as Taenia saginata, Taenia solium and Hymenolepis nana; intestinal protozoa such as Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba bütschlii and Entamoeba histolytica in pre-cystic (minuta) form. Ascariasis and trichuriasis belong to the most common diseases caused by geohelminths. These worms are characterised by direct development without intermediate hosts. The optimum temperature of the external environment for Ascaris lumbricoides is 24–30°C; at this temperature, a larva will emerge from an egg in 15 days
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