The Efficiency of Duodenal Aspirate in the Diagnosis of Parasitosis and Candidiasis

A hundred patients presenting with dyspepsia and/or symptoms suggesting parasitosis/candidiasis were subjected to oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD) in the Endoscopy Unit of Basrah Teaching Hospital Duodenal ulcers were found in 23% of them. Duodenal aspirate and stool samples were taken and examined microscopically for parasitosis and candidiasis. Examination of duodenal aspirates revealed the presence of Giardia lamblia in 15% of the cases, B. hominis in 5%, C. parvum in 4% and Candida spp. in 16%; the respective figures for those microorganisms in stool samples were 8%, 12%y 2% and 7%. There was no characteristic pH level of the duodenal aspirate in relation to parasitosis, candidiasis or endoscopic findings.