Survey of prevalence of intestinal parasites in under hemodialysis patients referred to Sari and Zanjan hospitals, Iran

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing hemodialysis are vulnerable to intestinal parasites due to a weakened immune system. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: The feces of 168 under hemodialysis patients were collected from Sari and Zanjan hospitals, Iran, and the demographic and clinical information of the patients was recorded in a questionnaire. Samples were tested using wet-mount method, formalin-ether concentration, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for coccidia, conventional trichrome for intestinal protozoa, and modified trichrome for Microsporidia. Data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed by the chi-square test method (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of parasitic infections in patients under hemodialysis in Sari and Zanjan was 43.58% and 33.33%, respectively, with a total of 40.4%. With a prevalence of 23.28%, Giardia had the highest prevalence rate. Then, Entamoeba coli had a prevalence of 14.3% and other parasites were, respectively, Endolimax nana (6.54%), Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Dientamoeba fragilis, and Cryptosporidium (each one: 1.19%), and Chilomastix mesnili (0.59%). There was no significant difference between the prevalence of intestinal parasites with age, gender, place of residence (urban or rural), and duration of hemodialysis (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pathogenic parasites such as Giardia have a high prevalence in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Sari Region. Given the potential risks of these infections, especially giardiasis, amoebiasis, and cryptosporidiosis, it is recommended that regular screening be performed to diagnose and treat parasitic diseases in this population.