Intestinal parasites detection among haemodialysis-patients in Sohag University Hospitals

ABSTRACT

Patients undergoing haemodialysis are considered to be immunocompromised, i.e. more susceptible to opportunistic organisms including parasites. Faecal samples were collected from 50 randomly picked patients subjected to haemodialysis in the renal dialysis unit of Sohag University Hospital. Each sample was cultured on a modified agar plate, subjected to formol-ether and sucrose sugar concentration methods then modified Zeil-Neelsen [MZN] acid-fast staining technique. Parasites were found in 94%, of the specimens, 84% were found to acquire mixed infection. Detected helminths included Strongyloides stercoralis [24%], Enterobius vermiculaus [4%] and Anleylostoma duodenale [2%], while protozoa included Entamoeba histolytica [56%], Entamoeba coli [58%], Entamoeba hartmani [2%], Giardia lamblia [58%], lodamoeba buetschlii [20%], Isospora belli [4%], Chilomastix mesnili [2%], Cryptosporidium parvum. [48%], Cyclospora cayetanensis [12%] Microsporidia [2%]. Comparison between the used diagnostic methods revealed that modified agar culture plate was significantly, better [P=0.004] in diagnosing S. stercoralis, while MZN stain was statistically better in diagnosing C. parvum [P-0.009], and distinguishing Cyclospora cayetanensis and Microsporidia