{"title":"An Innovative Method for Determining Amphotericin B Susceptibility in <i>Leishmania infantum</i> Isolates: A Modified Disk Elution Approach.","authors":"Yener Özel, İbrahim Çavuş, Ahmet Özbilgin","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.09326","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.09326","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Due to the potential development of resistance to amphotericin B (AmpB), a widely used drug in leishmaniasis treatment, monitoring drug susceptibility has become increasingly important. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of a modified version of the disk elution method-originally developed for detecting colistin resistance in bacteria-for the first time in determining AmpB susceptibility in <i>Leishmania infantum</i> (<i>L. infantum</i>) isolates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The minimum parasiticidal concentration (MPC) of AmpB against <i>L. infantum</i> was determined using the broth microdilution method. Additionally, the disk elution method was modified for use with <i>Leishmania</i>. Disks impregnated with AmpB were placed into indicator-containing culture tubes, and parasite viability was visually assessed based on a color shift from purple to yellow. The MPC was recorded as the lowest concentration at which complete parasite death occurred.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In both methods, AmpB exhibited complete parasiticidal activity at concentrations of ≥0.5 μg/mL. Statistical comparison using the Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant difference between the two methods at 48 and 72 hours (p>0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that the modified disk elution method provides comparable reliability to the standard broth microdilution technique. Its low cost, ease of implementation, and visual interpretability make it a promising alternative for drug susceptibility testing, especially in resource-limited laboratories or field settings. Moreover, the use of commercially prepared AmpB disks could facilitate standardization and broader adoption. This study introduces an innovative approach that may simplify routine drug susceptibility screening in Leishmania isolates and support wider surveillance of anti-leishmanial resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"138-145"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The First Report of <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> from a Dog in Ilgaz, Çankırı.","authors":"Sümeyra Yırtıcı, Kader Yıldız","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.49389","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.49389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> (<i>D. immitis</i>) detected in the necropsy of an Izci Kopegi Zagar breed dog in Ilgaz, Çankırı was reported. After being attacked by stray dogs, the owner of an 8-year-old male Izci Kopegi Zagar from Ilgaz, Çankırı presented to the veterinary clinic with serious injuries. The dog did not get well even after receiving treatment. Two nematodes were found in the dog's right heart chamber after postmortem investigation. Light microscopic examination revealed that these parasites were adult female <i>D. immitis</i>. As far as the authors' knowledge, this is the first observation of dogs residing in Ilgaz, Çankırı. Furthermore, it was noteworthy that the affected dog only had two female parasites. Due to occult infection, veterinarians are recommended to perform serological tests as well as blood examinations on dogs suspected of having heartworm.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"178-180"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of the Antiparasitic Potential of Luteolin: <i>in vitro</i> Activity and Comparison with Standard Therapeutics.","authors":"Evren Tileklioğlu, Elif Aydın","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.52533<<<","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.52533<<<","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Due to the limitations of current therapeutic approaches in treating parasitic diseases, there is a growing need for new and effective products, prompting interest in alternative approaches such as medicinal plants. Flavonoids, including luteolin, have shown promise in the treatment of many diseases due to their natural properties and pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro activity of luteolin against <i>Acanthamoeba castellanii</i> (<i>A. castellanii</i>), <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> (<i>E. histolytica</i>), and <i>Leishmania tropica</i> (<i>L. tropica</i>).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The reference parasite strains were tested for antiparasitic activity using luteolin concentrations ranging from 200 to 1.5 μg/mL. Positive controls included chlorhexidine, metronidazole, and glucantime, while dimethyl sulfoxide and parasite specific culture medium served as negative controls. Parasite mortality was assessed XTT [2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphenyl)-(2H)-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] and trypan blue dye exclusion assays. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and median lethal dose (LD₅₀) values were determined via non-linear regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Luteolin exhibited significant activity, with MIC values of 100 μg/mL for <i>A. castellanii</i> and <i>E. histolytica</i>, and 12.5 μg/mL for <i>L. tropica</i>. LD₅₀ analysis revealed effective concentrations of 3.125 μg/mL for <i>E. histolytica</i> and 1.5 μg/mL for <i>A. castellanii</i>, while <i>L. tropica</i> displayed an LD₅₀ below 1.5 μg/mL, indicating the highest sensitivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Luteolin demonstrated potent antiprotozoal effects in vitro, with <i>L. tropica</i> being the most susceptible, followed by <i>A. castellanii</i> and <i>E. histolytica</i>. Notably, luteolin's anti-leishmanial activity was comparable to glucantime. In conclusion, luteolin demonstrates significant potential as a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent, and comprehensive <i>in vivo</i> studies are recommended to further evaluate its therapeutic efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"146-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"First Morphological Identification of <i>Eimeria</i> spp. and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Different Wild Rodent Species from Central and Northwest Iran.","authors":"Bahram Rastad, Mousa Tavassoli, Bijan Esmaeilnejad, Salar Zarrabi Ahrabi","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.60352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.60352","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Wild rodents act as important hosts and reservoirs for both zoonotic and non-zoonotic pathogens, playing a key role in maintaining and transmitting infectious agents in nature. Their presence can lead to contamination of food and water sources, affecting both humans and animals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined 138 dead rodents from six species (<i>Microtus socialis, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Meriones libycus, Apodemus witherbyi</i>, and <i>Ellobius lutescens</i>) collected from three regions in Iran. Fecal samples were analyzed for <i>Eimeria</i> spp. and <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. using potassium dichromate cultivation and sugar flotation for <i>Eimeria</i>, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for <i>Cryptosporidium</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The infection rate for <i>Eimeria</i> spp. was 5.79%, and the identified species included <i>E. falciformis, E. papillata, E. miyairii, E. musculoidei</i>, and <i>E. hungaryensis</i>. For <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp., a 4.34% infection rate was observed. While <i>Eimeria</i> infections were limited to three rodent species, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was detected in all six.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study presents the first morphological identification of <i>Eimeria</i> species in rodents in Iran, with findings consistent with host-parasite relationships reported globally. Additionally, the widespread presence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in multiple rodent species emphasizes the epidemiological importance of these animals as potential reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. These results contribute to a better understanding of protozoan diversity and distribution in rodent populations of Iran.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"152-157"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effectiveness of Oral Ivermectin Treatment in Cases Unresponsive to Classical <i>Demodex</i> Blepharitis Treatment.","authors":"Oktay Alver, Derya Doğanay, Selim Doğanay","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.39260","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.39260","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong><i>Demodex</i> blepharitis is a common inflammatory eye condition caused by an overgrowth of <i>Demodex</i> mites on the eyelids, and lash follicles, Zeiss' glands and Meibomian glands that is often overlooked. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ivermectin tablet oral treatment in cases unresponsive to classical <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 35 patients (17 men and 18 women) with chronic symptomatic blepharitis were included in the study. Patients were admitted to Çekirge State Hospital and Bursa Dünyagöz Hospital Ophthalmology Clinics between December 12, 2017, and April 15, 2021, and were found to have Cylindrical dandruff resistant to classical <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis treatment. Following the classical <i>Demodex</i> treatment in these cases, oral ivermectin was started in two doses of 0.2 mg/kg, 30 days apart. The presence of <i>Demodex</i> in the eyelashes, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score was evaluated before the classical <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis treatment and after the ivermectin treatment. A detailed biomicroscopic eye examination was performed in all cases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the total 35 patients admitted to the hospital, 17 (48.6%) were men [mean ± standard deviation (SD): 48.41±15.62, min-max: 18-75] and 18 (51.4%) were women (mean ± SD: 51.17±14.98, min-max: 19-73). There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in terms of average age (p=0.598). OSDI scoring mean ± SD values before classical <i>Demodex</i> blepharitis treatment and after oral ivermectin treatment were 77.47±5.74 and 6.69±4.71, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the treatment of <i>Demodex</i> related blepharitis, the use of oral ivermectin is an effective treatment option in cases that do not respond to classical treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"168-172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Parasites and Parasite Eggs Detected in Laboratory Mice in Bursa.","authors":"Oya Girişgin, Dilara Karaman, Ahmet Onur Girişgin","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.18291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.18291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>A mouse infected with parasites is not a suitable model for use in experiments, and therefore, it is necessary to know whether it is infected. In this study, the aim is to investigate the endo and exoparasites in BALB/c laboratory mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, the presence of parasites in 250 mice obtained from Bursa Uludağ University Experimental Animal Centre was investigated by faecal flotation and cellophane tape methods. In addition, helminths recovered during necropsy of selected mice were examined to confirm species identification.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to the results of the research, ectoparasites found in mice were mites such as <i>Otodectes cynotis, Myobia musculi</i> and <i>Myocoptes musculinus</i>, and endoparasites were nematodes of the species <i>Syphacia obvelata, Syphacia muris</i> and <i>Aspiculuris tetraptera</i>. In addition to adults of these species, many unidentified parasite eggs were also found. An <i>Aspicularis tetraptera</i> nematode exhibiting an unusual cervical alae structure not previously described in the literature was detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although helminths from the <i>Strongylidae</i> and <i>Heligmosomidae</i> families were not found in the necropsy, helminth eggs belonging to this family were found in the fecal flotation. This study has presented different parasites detected in laboratory mice and original images were presented for some samples with unusual morphological structures.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"158-167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yener Özel, İbrahim Çavuş, Gülhan Vardar Ünlü, Mehmet Ünlü, Ahmet Özbilgin
{"title":"Evaluation of Alternative Culture Media for Cost-effective and Reliable <i>in vitro</i> Cultivation of <i>Leishmania</i>.","authors":"Yener Özel, İbrahim Çavuş, Gülhan Vardar Ünlü, Mehmet Ünlü, Ahmet Özbilgin","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.64935","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.64935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of commonly available culture media in routine microbiology laboratories for the cultivation of <i>Leishmania tropica</i> (<i>L. tropica</i>) promastigotes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Various media including yeast extract agar, tryptic soy broth, sabouraud dextrose agar, brucella agar, and Columbia agar were tested. A total of sixteen media were prepared: eight blood-free (BY1-BY8) and eight supplemented with erythrocyte suspension blood-containing medium (KBY1-KBY8). Each medium was inoculated with <i>L. tropica</i> promastigotes at a concentration of 10⁵ promastigotes/mL and incubated for 12 days. Daily promastigote counts were performed to monitor growth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the tested media, BY7, BY8, KBY7, and KBY8 showed the most favorable growth patterns. In BY7 and BY8, the promastigote count increased from 10³/mL on day 1 to 10⁴/mL by day 5. BY7 supported continuous growth, reaching 10⁷ promastigotes/mL by day 8 and maintaining this level until day 12. BY8 peaked at 10⁵/mL on day 8 but declined to 10³/mL by day 12. KBY7 and KBY8 both demonstrated rapid growth, reaching 10⁷/mL by day 8 and sustaining this level through the end of incubation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The presence of Columbia agar in BY7, BY8, KBY7, and KBY8 media significantly enhanced <i>L. tropica</i> promastigote proliferation. Due to its low cost, ease of preparation, and availability in routine laboratories, Columbia agar is proposed as a practical and effective alternative to the conventional Novy-McNeal-Nicolle medium for promastigote culture.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"132-137"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sri Wahdini, Ika Puspa Sari, Fajaria Nurcandra, Saleha Sungkar
{"title":"Assessment of Knowledge and Personal Hygiene Practices Regarding Scabies Among High-risk Students in a Non-formal Education Boarding School.","authors":"Sri Wahdini, Ika Puspa Sari, Fajaria Nurcandra, Saleha Sungkar","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.98700","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.98700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Scabies is a common skin disease, especially prevalent in densely populated environments such as a boarding school. This study assesses knowledge and practices related to scabies among students in a non-formal education boarding school.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-formal boarding school Daarul Ishlah in South Jakarta, Indonesia, in December 2023. The population was all male students (127 respondents) who were recruited using consecutive sampling. Data were collected through a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire to assess students' knowledge and personal hygiene practices. The collected data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 20.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The respondents' levels of knowledge were categorized as follows: 59.1% had good knowledge, 34.6% had moderate knowledge, and 6.3% showed poor knowledge. However, their hygiene practices indicated a different trend, with only 22% exhibiting good practices, 72.4% showing moderate practices, and 5.5% demonstrating poor practices. Most respondents (88.2%) were unaware of the etiology of scabies. Regarding personal hygiene practices for preventing scabies, 78% used personal towels, and 74.8% slept on their own mattresses. Yet, only 18.9% maintained the cleanliness of their bed linens.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While most respondents demonstrated good knowledge about scabies, their hygiene practices were generally at a moderate level. To address this gap, knowledge and behavior can be enhanced through regular health education, the provision of adequate facilities, and the enforcement of internal regulations to foster better student discipline.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 4","pages":"173-177"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feyza Nur Akın Birincioğlu, Zeynep Beyza Konyalıoğlu, Gamze Kılıç
{"title":"Case Report: Hydatid Disease as a Potential Cause of Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis in Endemic Regions.","authors":"Feyza Nur Akın Birincioğlu, Zeynep Beyza Konyalıoğlu, Gamze Kılıç","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.50469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.50469","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a type of vasculitis that affects small vessels and is commonly associated with infections, malignancies, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. In this case, a 75-year-old female patient presented with clinical signs of LCV, and after ruling out common etiologies, hydatid disease (HD) emerged as a potential cause. This case highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections, particularly HD, in the differential diagnosis of LCV, especially in regions where these infections are endemic and in patients exposed to relevant environmental risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 3","pages":"129-131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145024272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Murat Saygın, Selahattin Aydemir, Abdurrahman Ekici, Hasan Yılmaz
{"title":"Frequency of Intestinal Protozoa in Patients Receiving Treatment at Van Special Physioactive Special Education and Rehabilitation Center.","authors":"Murat Saygın, Selahattin Aydemir, Abdurrahman Ekici, Hasan Yılmaz","doi":"10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.69875","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4274/tpd.galenos.2025.69875","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of intestinal protozoa in disabled patients attending a rehabilitation center, thereby highlighting the significance of intestinal protozoa in individuals with disabilities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included a total of 300 individuals, comprising 200 disabled patients and 100 non-disabled individuals. Stool samples were collected from all participants and examined using the native-Lugol and modified acid-fast methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the study, intestinal protozoa were detected in 41% of disabled individuals and in 9% of individuals in the control group (p=0.001). <i>Blastocystis</i> was detected in 18% of patients, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in 15%, <i>Giardia intestinalis</i> in 9%, <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i> in 5%, and <i>Entamoeba coli</i> in 4%. Among the subgroups, spina bifida patients had a protozoan infection rate of 83.3%, while the rates in other groups were lower. A significant relationship was detected between the presence of parasites and diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite (p<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Disabled individuals, especially those with spina bifida, are at risk for intestinal protozoa, and regular screening for opportunistic protozoa is essential for these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":34974,"journal":{"name":"Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi","volume":"49 3","pages":"101-107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145024375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}