Prevalence of Enteric Protozoan Parasites in Patients Visiting Al-Maimouna General Hospital based in Al-Maimouna District, Misan Governorate, Iraq
Abstract
The purpose of this research paper was to assess the prevalence and incidence of intestinal infections among patients attending Al-Maymouna General Hospital in Al-Maymouna District, Misan Governorate, southern Iraq, during the first half of 2025, from January 2, 2025 to June 2, 2025. This study was conducted on 284 patients attending the hospital. After the stool samples collected from the consulting clinic arrived at the laboratory room, they were examined by preparing a slide of wet stool to diagnose the vegetative stage (trophozoite of parasites) for both Amoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Ages were defined as less than 1 year and greater than 65 years. Of the 284 stool samples collected, 105 (36.97%) tested positive for intestinal parasites, as follows 88 (83.80%) were confirmed and diagnosed with E. histolytica, and 17 (16.20%) patients tested positive for G. lamblia. The study results indicated that there were no significant differences in the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections (E. histolytica) and (G. lamblia) between age groups at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. The Peak prevalence of parasites of gastrointestinal tract (Entamoeba histolytica) and (Giardia lamblia) was recorded within the 1-5 year age group, with 28 (31.82%) and 9 (52.94%), respectively. Through research, I found that infections with intestinal amoebiasis are more common than giardiasis. Diseases and many other public health problems remain challenging, requiring more and more effective treatments.
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