ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect the presence of parasites in environmental waters in Samsun and its districts. METHODS: At the center of Samsun, 13 stations were determined. The research was performed between March 2012 and February 2013, and every month, water samples were collected on the dates stated. The samples were stained with Kinyoun acid-fast, modified trichrome, and trichrome dyes after examining with the direct bond. The preparations were evaluated in terms of parasitologic under a light microscope. RESULTS: Totally, 180 of 228 water samples analyzed were from streams; of these, 48 were drinking water samples. The following were found: 142 Giardia spp., 132 Cryptosporidium spp., 56 Cyclospora spp., 38 microsporidia, 47 Blastocystis spp., 38 Entamoeba coli cysts, 18 Dientamoeba, 9 Chilomastix, 9 Strongyloides spp., and 6 hookworms. CONCLUSION: The widespread use of animal husbandry and agriculture in the region and the use of stream surroundings as a grazing area increase the presence of some determined protozoa during a certain period. Parasitological studies in humans and animals in the region should be conducted, and control programs should be applied.