Distribution of Intestinal Parasites Detected in Şanlıurfa Mehmet Akif Inan Education and Research Hospital Between October 2015 and October 2016.

OBJECTIVE

A total of 7353 patients who referred to the Microbiology Laboratory of Mehmet Akif Inan Education and Research Hospital between October 2015 and October 2016 were evaluated for intestinal parasites.

METHODS

All fecal samples were investigated using three methods: wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, and trichrome staining. The cellophane tape method could only be used in a limited number of patients owing to the absence of a pediatrics outpatient clinic in our hospital.

RESULT: One or more intestinal parasites were detected in 2,322 (31.6%) among the 7,353 patients. Blastocystis spp. (1,884, 63.6%), Entamoeba coli (390, 13.2%), and Giardia intestinalis (169, 5.7%) were the most frequently observed parasites in stool samples. Two or more parasites were detected in 528 (22.7%) of the positive cases. The positivity rate was 30.3% among women and 33.4% among men.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal parasitosis is still significant for community health care in the Şanlıurfa Province.