survey on intestinal parasitic infections in patients referred to a hospital in Tehran

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in people referred to Kashani Hospital Tehran during Summar season in 2005. Fecal samples were examined by direct examination, formalin-ether concentration and staining with Ziehl-Neelsen. To identify Strongyloides stercoralis samples were cultured on the nutrient agar medium. In a total of 205 cases examined 29.75% were found infected with at least one parasite. The rates was as follows Blastocystis hominis 20.9%, Giardia lamblia 5.36%, lodamoeba butschelii 0.48%, Dientamoeba fragilis 0.48%, Trichomonas hominis 0.48%, Endolimax nana 0.97%, Enterobius vermicularis 0.48% and Taenia 0.48%. Results included the significance of Giordia infection in children along with symptoms. 76.74% of patients with Blastocystis infection have presented with intestinal symptoms. More research is encouraged to identify the relationship of B. hominis and the symptoms