Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in the Southwest of Iran: A Four-year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: The current study was aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in persons who were referred to selected hospitals of Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, in southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 43200 and 28821 stool specimens were gathered from Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, respectively, during four consecutive years (2014-2017). Results: A decreasing trend was seen in the prevalence rate of IPIs in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities. The overall prevalence of IPIs were estimated 5.82% and 6.11% in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, respectively. In Abadan city, the proportion of IPIs in male persons with 56% was higher than females 44%, while in Khorramshahr city, the more prevalence was observed in females (54% vs. 46%). Moreover, according to the season, the highest prevalence were recorded in the Spiring (30.4%) and Summer (31.1%) in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, respectively. We found Giardia lamblia, as the most frequent parasite in studied individuals of both cities (Abadan: 2.92%; 1261/43200 and Khorramshahr: 3.15%; 908/28821). Other parasites were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, E. coli, E. hartmanni, Blastocystis hominis, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Taenia spp. Conclusion: This was the first study on the prevalence of IPIs in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities, southwest of Iran. Intestinal parasites are still the main public health concern in these regions. Health education, improving sanitary conditions, screening and treatment of infected people, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas can be helpful.

Clinicopathological evaluation of parasitic infections in appendectomy specimens

“…A limited number of studies report that intestinal parasitisation is frequently encountered in the spring and summer (17,18). In addition to the literature, the current study evaluates the presence of parasitic infection in appendectomy specimens histopathologically instead of using sample tests and reveals that parasitic infection is most frequently encountered in appendectomies performed in May, followed by April and June.…”

Minimum inhibitory but maximum non-hemolytic concentration of plasma-treated catheters coated with L. tridentata and O. vulgare extracts

“…The capacity of the catheters coated with L. tridentata and O. vulgare extracts at the stock concentration of producing h against an S. aureus strain indicates that they have antibacterial activity. It has been reported that phenolic compounds and fatty acids present in the extracts of L. tridentata and O. vulgare damage the cytoplasmic membrane by interrupting the correct functioning of the transport proteins dependent on adenosine triphosphate, preventing the absorption of vital substances for the bacteria as figure 3(a) schematizes [25,26,31,32]. It has been explained that treating surfaces with plasma increases the adhesion points through the creation of functional groups [33] and surface HP produced by the extract-coated catheters pretreated with plasma compared with the untreated.…”

A review of giardiasis and its parasite genotypes in Iran

“…57 Giardia lamblia has been determined as the most prevalent parasite in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities during four successive years. 58 The most infection among diarrheic patients of Ahvaz was Giardia intestinalis. 59 Giardia duodenalis has been detected in students of Khorramabad.…”