Prevalence of Intestinal Pathogenic Parasites in Basrah City, Iraq

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients in Basrah city, southern of Iraq. Stool samples were collected from 1026 auditors patient s attended in the Basrah General hospital. Each sample was examined by direct wet mount microscopic examination using both normal saline and Lugol's iodine preparation and Permanent stained smears were performed for intestinal coccidian using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The present study recorded (494)persons infected with gastrointestinal parasites (infection percentage ( 48.14%) and monthly rate of infection (44.75%) The highest rate on infection with gastrointestinal parasites in December was (58.18%) and the lowest rate percentage of infection was in January (28.76%). the highest parasite infection was Cryptosoridium parvum (167) cases, (16.27%) ; Followed by parasite Entamoeba. hitolytica. (157) cases (15.3%) ; Followed by Blastocysist hominis (72) cases ( 7.01 %) ;followed by infection of Giardia intestinalis ( 61) cases (5.94 %). and recorded the lowest indicdence of protozoa with one cases of Entamoeba coli ( 0.09 %) recorded infection with Enterobius vermicularis (33) cases and the rate infection percentage ( 3.21%) while infection with Hymenlepis nana (3) cases and (0.29%). the parasite Cryptosoridium parvum Recorded the highest infection (69) cases in age (20-30) years, and the lowest incidence in (6-10) years (3) cases. The parasite Entamoeba histolytica recorded the highest infection (48) cases in age (20-30) years and the lowest incidence (8) casess in age (6-10) years. The highest infection (33) cases with Blastocysist hominis at age (20-30)years and lowest (zero) of age (6-10) years. (25) cases highest infection with Giardia lntestinalis at (20-30) years and lowest (3) cases at both age (6-10) years and (11-19)years. only one cases of (1-5) years of Entamoea. coli. The highest incidence of Enterobius vermicularis. (11) cases at (6-10) years ; While lowest one cases at (20-30) years. (2) cases reported at (20-30) years with Hymenolepis nana parasite, one cases at age (31-40) years.