EJMS

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infection worldwide. The socio-economic situation of the individuals has an important impact on the prevalence of intestinal parasites. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Giardia lamblia and to determine their impact on health of people living in Sharkyia governorate, Egypt. The present study resembled by 516 patients attending the Zagazig University Hospital Outpatient Clinics during the period from August, 2016 till the end of July, 2017. Their ages ranged between 1- 70 years. Stool samples were collected and investigated for the presence of intestinal parasites. Total two hundred and seven samples were positive for Entameba histolytica/dispar and Giardia cysts. Stool specimens were examined using direct wet mount, 1% of lugols iodine and the formol-ether concentration techniques. Data were analyzed using Chi- square test and T-Test. The overall prevalence of the two intestinal parasites was 40.12 % .The prevalence of E. histolytica/dispar and Giardia lamblia were 20.35% and 19.77% respectively. Higher infection rates of the two intestinal protozoa occurred in the age group 2-5 years, the infection rate of E. histolytica/ dispar and Giardia lamblia were 26.64% and 24.02% respectively. We found that the highest record of infection was during summer months, the hottest season in Egypt (52.38% and 49.02%) by E. histolytica/dispar and G. lamblia respectively. The most potential risk factors were male gender, residence in rural area, mother illiteracy for their children, tap water or sewage contaminated water supplies and lack of breast-feeding.