[Incidence of intestinal parasites detected in the Department of Parasitology in Celal Bayar University Hospital between 2006 and 2010].

OBJECTIVE

Results of 17.711 patien admitted to the Department of Parasitology in Celal Bayar University Hospital for parasitological stool examination between January 2006 and December 2010 were evaluated.

METHODS

All stool samples were examined with wet mounts, formalin ethyl acetate concentration and trichrome staining methods. In addition, cellophane tape preparations from 5952 patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

Intestinal parasites were detected in 2337 (13.12%) of 17.711 patients who were admitted during a five year period. The highest parasite infected individual ratio (16.69%) was found in 2008. The most frequently identified intestinal parasites were Blastocystis spp. 1353 (7.64%) and Giardia intestinalis 348 (1.96%) in stool samples, with Enterobius vermicularis 253 (4.25%) in cellophane tape preparations. Two or more parasites were detected in 158 (6.76%) of the positive cases. The mean age of persons identified as having a parasite was 21.9. Parasite incidence was 10.7% in females, and 13.6% in males (p < 0.001). The highest ratio was 23.8% in patients who lived in rural areas when all positive cases were evaluated in terms of settlement areas.

CONCLUSION

While Blastocystis spp., E. vermicularis and G. intestinalis were the most frequently detected intestinal parasites in our province, intestinal parasites still remain important despite advances in infrastructure in recent years.