Microscopic Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Gastrointestinal Disordered Patients in Wasit Province, Iraq

Background: Intestinal parasites (IPs) have been a big concern for low-income countries as they are the major cause of high morbidity and mortality. Aims: Identification the prevalence of IPs in gastrointestinal disordered patients, with estimation relationship of these pathogens to hematological and some epidemiological parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 individuals with a history of abdominal pain, anal itching, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, and nausea or vomiting were selected, and asked to obtain of fecal and blood samples. Traditional microscopic methods were used to detect the parasites; while, Automated Hematology Analyser was served for blood counting. Results: There were 59.5% positive patients with intestinal parasites; in which, 68.91% with single infection (particularly Entamoeba histolytica, Enterobius vermicularis and Giardia lamblia), and 31.09% with mixed infections (particularly Enterobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides as well as Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica). Concerning risk factors, significant higher values of positivity were showed in patients of 3-7 years old, males more than females, and in rural more than urban areas. Regarding hematology, insignificant variation was recorded between infested and non-infested individuals, but macrocytic type of RBCs was highly prevalent in infested individuals. Subsequently, macrocytic type was increased significantly prevalent in patients with Ascaris lumbricoides; while, normocytic and microcytic types were seen in Balantidium coli. In patients with mixed infections, macrocytic type was recorded significantly in patients having Enterobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides as well as in those having Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica; while, microcytic type was identified in patients with Enterobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides, and those with Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia and Balantidium coli. However, normocytic type was seen significantly in patients with Entamoeba histolytica and Balantidium coli; Entamoeba histolytica and Enterobius vermicularis; and Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. Conclusions: The findings imply that intestinal parasites among gastrointestinal patients were prevalent as single or mixed infections. Age, sex and areas were related significantly with the existence of parasitic infection, in addition to the effect of these parasites on shape of RBCs. However, annual surveillance appears of great importance to detect the prevalence of intestinal parasites in different individuals.