A retrospective evaluation of the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Istanbul, Turkey

The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites, in comparison to previous studies in Istanbul and different geographic regions of Turkey. Between January 1999-December 2009, a total of 27664 stool samples from patients with suspicious intestinal parasitic infections who were admitted to İstanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical School Hospital were examined for intestinal parasites by using native lugol and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, in adition to the scotch cellophane tape that was adapted to 1423 children to investigate the Enterobius vermicularis infection. Intestinal parasites were found in 1114 (4%) out of 27664 stool samples examined. The prevalence of intestinal parasites is as follows: Blastocystis hominis in 2.1%, Giardia intestinalis in 1.4%, Taenia saginata in 0.2%, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar in 0.05% and Ascaris lumbricoides in 0.03%. Hymenolepis nana (6), Trichuris trichiura (3), Strongyloides stercoralis (2), Fasciola hepatica (1), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (1) and Isospora belli (1) were found in small numbers. Furthermore Entamoeba coli (119), Iodamoeba bütschlii (5), Trichomonas hominis (2), Chilomastix mesnili (1), parasites which exist as commensals in the intestines were also determined. Enterobius vermicularis was detected in 129 (9%) out of 1423 cellophane tape samples. This study showed that the intestinal parasites are still an important public health problem in Istanbul.