Aim
The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients, whose examination material was sent to parasitology laboratory of two different hospitals in Rize province during the period of January 2012 to June 2013.
Materials and Methods
Stool samples were examined by direct macroscopy, native-lugol and trichrome staining methods for protozoan (cyst or trophozoites) and helminths (eggs or larvae). Cellophane preparations were examined for Enterobius vermicularis eggs.
Results
A total of 9.994 samples were investigated and parasites were identified from 240 samples (2.4%). Entamoeba coli (59.6%) was determined the most common parasite among the identified parasites and it was followed by E. vermicularis (12.5%), G. intestinalis (12.1%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/dispar (9.6 %).
Conclusion
There is less studies showing the prevalence of intestinal parasites in our region. It is compared to the work done in different places and times, parasites ration in our province was found very low (2.4%). The acceptance of the appropriate sample and the use of high sensitivity methods of investigation should be expanded for the effective recognition of parasitosis and their successful treatment. There is a slight improvement for socio-economic and environmental conditions in our country, but the parasitic infections are still a current and continous health problem in our society.
Keywords: Rize, intestinal parasites, prevalence