Research article

DIRECT SMEAR DETECTION OF PARASITIC INFECTION CAUSES DIARRHEA IN PATIENTS OF WASIT PROVINCE, IRAQ

Bassam Abdul Ameer Ahmed1, Baraa Abdulsalam Hraija2, Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher3

Online First: April 25, 2023


Diarrhea is a common symptom of many diseases of the digestive system. Infectious pathogens are the most common cause of diarrhea in developing countries where sanitation and hygiene are inadequate. Due to the lack of preventive measures and limited medical resources in these countries, there has been a significant increase in the incidence, morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases such as diarrhea. Poverty, illiteracy, lack of sanitation, lack of clean water, and the hot and humid tropical climate are all factors that contribute to intestinal parasitic infections. Infectious diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to detect diarrhoea-causing protozoan parasitic infection by direct smear test in Wasit district. Between January and March 2023, 206 diarrheal stool samples (97 men and 109 women) were randomly collected from patients in Wasit Province. The samples studied were used to detect the presence of intestinal parasite infection, and pre-tested formulations were used in the study. Prognosis was adjusted for demographic parameters such as age, sex and place of residence, and the history of diarrhea was recorded by direct smear microscopy to detect intestinal parasite infection. The results showed that protozoa included Cryptosporidium parvum (2.4%), Blastocystis hominis (4.8%), Giardia lamblia (6.7%) and Entamoeba histolytica (47.5%). Finally, the incidence of parasitic infections is high and is influenced by personal hygiene. Comprehensive health education is therefore essential with the aim of reducing parasitic infections.

Keywords

Protozoa, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica