Intestinal parasitoses in a tertiary-care hospital located in a non-endemic setting during 2006–2010

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of intestinal parasitoses during a 5-year period in patients attending a tertiary-care hospital in a non-endemic setting.MethodsIn the period 2006–2010, 15,752 samples from 8,886 patients with clinically suspected parasitosis were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic examination, to parasitic antigen detection assays, and to cultures for protozoa and nematodes. Real-time PCR assays for the differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar and for the detection of Dientamoeba fragilis were also used.A statistical analysis evaluating the demographic data of the patients with intestinal parasitic infections was performed.ResultsIntestinal parasitic infections were diagnosed in 1,477 patients (16.6% prevalence), mainly adults and immigrants from endemic areas for faecal-oral infections; protozoa were detected in 93.4% and helminths in 6.6% of the cases, the latter especially in immigrants. Blastocystis hominis was the most common intestinal protozoan, and G. intestinalis was the most frequently detected among pathogenic protozoa, prevalent in immigrants, males, and pediatric patients. Both single (77.9%) and mixed (22.1%) parasitic infections were observed, the latter prevalent in immigrants.ConclusionsDespite the importance of the knowledge about the epidemiology of intestinal parasitoses in order to adopt appropriate control measures and adequate patient care all over the world, data regarding industrialized countries are rarely reported in the literature. The data presented in this study indicate that intestinal parasitic infections are frequently diagnosed in our laboratory and could make a contribution to stimulate the attention by physicians working in non-endemic areas on the importance of suspecting intestinal parasitoses.

Molecular Diagnostics for Soil-Transmitted Helminths

“…These infections are often underdiagnosed given the decreasing number of well-trained personnel with the competence in identifying eggs and/or larvae in traditional stool-based microscopic methods and the intermittent shedding of eggs and/or larvae by some of these parasites (e.g., Strongyloides 6,9,10). …”

Helminth infections among long-term-residents and settled immigrants in Qatar in the decade from 2005 to 2014: temporal trends and varying prevalence among subjects from different regional origins

“…In the case of intestinal helminth infections, relevant public health issues are mainly concerned with the chronicity of these infections [ 8 , 9 ] and the associated morbidity [ 10 , 11 ]. Not surprisingly, therefore, the importation of parasitic infections by travelers [ 12 – 14 ] and immigrant workers into non-endemic Western countries [ 4 , 15 , 16 ] as well as those located in the Middle Eastern countries [ 17 , 18 ], has attracted attention.…”

Bioinformatics-base and Determinants of the Spatiotemporal Variations of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

“…Several parasitic infections cause considerable suffering and impact economically on human health, livestock and crop production. The deleterious impact of many parasitic infections necessitates their control as regards health, environment and economy [12,13]. Emerging infections are perspicuously infections which newly become salient in a population, or are accelerating their incidence or broadening their geographic scope [14][15][16].…”