[Evaluation of intestinal parasites in a period of four years in the coprology laboratory of a training hospital]

Turkiye Parazitol Derg. 2007;31(4):306-8.
[Article in Turkish]

Abstract

Parasitological examination of stool samples of 9867 individuals, submitted from both inpatient and outpatient departments to the Microbiology Department of an 800-bed Training Hospital between 1.1.2003 and 31.12.2006, revealed that 582 individuals (5.9%) were infected with intestinal parasites. Different diagnostic methods were employed in two different periods, and Blastocystis hominis, Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar were found to be the most common parasites, respectively. Patients were predominantly male (67% (n=336) male vs. 33% (n=165) female) and aged between 15-25 years (36%). In addition, 14% (81/582) patients had multiple parasitoses. Despite being labor-intensive, parasitological examination of stool samples with necessary staining methods by experienced staff will surely help determine both the diagnosis and exact prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Turkey.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Blastocystis Infections / diagnosis
  • Blastocystis Infections / epidemiology
  • Blastocystis Infections / parasitology
  • Blastocystis hominis / isolation & purification
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Entamoeba histolytica / isolation & purification
  • Entamoebiasis / diagnosis
  • Entamoebiasis / epidemiology
  • Entamoebiasis / parasitology
  • Feces / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Giardia lamblia / isolation & purification
  • Giardiasis / diagnosis
  • Giardiasis / epidemiology
  • Giardiasis / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Turkey / epidemiology
  • Young Adult