Prevalence, type of infections and comparative analysis of detection techniques of intestinal parasites in the province of Belgarn, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The study was conducted to observe the prevalence and type of infection caused by intestinal parasites and to compare the techniques that are available for the detection. Method A total of 112 stool samples were obtained from study participants, and the laboratory examinations were performed at Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. One hundred and twelve participants were included in this study. Result The color of positive specimens was mainly brown (86.4%). Stool consistency in infected cases was soft in (64%) samples. There was no statistically significant difference with the physical characteristics of the stool (P > 0.05). In total, 59 of the 112 participants were infected with intestinal parasites, representing 52.7%. Different intestinal protozoa parasites were identified in which Blastocystis hominis (86.4%) was highest. None of the intestinal helminths were detected. Out of the 59 infected cases, single infections were found in (62.7%) samples. The intestinal protozoan parasites in single infections were B. hominis (78.4%), Giardia lamblia (8.1%), and (2.7%) from each Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, and Chilomastix mesnili. Microscopy, RDTs, and real-time PCR were used for detection and identification of G. lamblia, E. histolytica, and C. parvum. Conclusion The study reported a high rate of intestinal parasitic infections, mainly with B. hominis. There were no statistical differences in parasite detection between the three techniques in detection of the thirteen cases infected with the pathogenic protozoa.

Hygiene practices and factors influencing intestinal parasites among food handlers in the province of Belgarn, Saudi Arabia

“…Intestinal infection was observed in 59 (52.68%) participants. Information on the species-specific prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and the comparative analysis of the detection techniques were presented in the previous study ( Alqarni, Wakid & Gattan, 2022 ).…”

“…In this study, intestinal parasites were found in 52.7% of the 112 food handlers. In a recently published article, we presented the details of the prevalence, types of detected intestinal parasites and comparison between the performed techniques ( Alqarni, Wakid & Gattan, 2022 ).…”

“…This study performed variant laboratory testing on the collected stool samples including macroscopic examination, direct wet smears, sedimentation formal ether technique, permanent staining with trichrome and modified Kinyoun’s, rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic tests, and real-time PCR. The procedures were conducted as described in detail in our previous study ( Alqarni, Wakid & Gattan, 2022 ).…”

“…In our previous study in the province of Belgarn among food handlers, we investigated the prevalence, types of intestinal parasites and compared between the performance of the techniques ( Alqarni, Wakid & Gattan, 2022 ). The current study was carried out to evaluate the hygiene practices and factors influencing the distribution of intestinal parasites among food handlers in the province of Belgarn, Saudi Arabia.…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and comparison of detection techniques for soil-transmitted helminths among newly arrived expatriate labors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

“…The master mix, working primers and probe solutions were prepared to the specifications previously described ( Alqarni, Wakid & Gattan, 2022 ), and stored at −20 °C until use.…”