Hookworms and other human intestinal parasites in Dhofar

ABSTRACT

A parasitological survey was carried out in 5 localities in the mountains of Dhofar [south of Oman]. Using direct microscopy 480 stool specimens were examined, out of which 122 [25%] were found to be infected. Among the positives, a single parasite species was detected in 116 [24%] while the remaining 6 samples [1%] represented double infections. Six species of parasites were observed hookworms in 17% of the stool specimens, Giardia lamblia 6%, strongloides stercoralis [3%], Entamoeba histolytica [0.4%],E. coli [0.4%] and Endolimax nana [0.2%]. The highest overall prwvalence of parasitic infections was observed in madinat al-Haq [56%], followed by Dhalqut [35%], sudh [12%],and lastly Tawiattair [4%]. Hookworms had a high prevalence [35.9%] in Madinat Al-Haq and Dhalqut, while this parasite was not detected in Sudh and Tawiattair