Introduction: Epidemiological conditions are changing due to the modifications in human behavior and environment. Parasitic diseases are most often caused by intestinal parasites. The frequency of Echinococcus multilocularis and tropical diseases increases in Poland.
Aim of study: Analysis of intestinal parasites’ occurrence in stool samples and perianal swabs tested in Medical Diagnostics Department of The Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Bydgoszcz between 2000-2014.
Material and methods: 24 609 fecal samples and perianal swabs were tested using microscopic method for intestinal parasites’ presence and immunoenzymatic method (ELISA) for Giardia intestinalis presence. The study population was sorted into four groups according to age.
Results: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in persons tested over 2000-2014 period ranged between 2.15% - 7.04%. The most common invasive parasite was Enterobius vermicularis, especially among children between 3-7 years (64.58%). In the same time period the most prevalent pathogenic intestinal parasite in adults (>16 years) was Giardia intestinalis (65.81%).
Conclusions: 1. The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection changes depending on the number of tests carried out. The number of infections may be underestimated given that the testing encompassed only a part of population. A need for more thorough examination exists. 2. Enterobius vermicularis infection was most often found in children between 3-7 years, mainly from specific communities (kindergartens, orphanages).