Intestinal Parasites in Patients Having Haematological Malignancies

Abstract

BACKGROUNDHaematological malignancies like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma originate in the bone marrow, lymph nodes which may be acute and chronic. These patients receive immunosuppressive agents, which put them at increased risk of infections, especially due to intestinal parasites. Parasitic infections if not diagnosed early may give rise to morbidity and mortality, more so if these infections remain asymptomatic, such patients pose a threat to others in the community. Hence, early diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections is mandatory.

Protozoan Intestinal Parasitic Infection in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

“…Phulsunge et al [ 15 ] showed that during intensive chemotherapy, patients with HM have a prevalence of intestinal parasites that can be arranged in the following descending series: ALL < AML < PCM and lymphoma ~69%; ~55%; ~47%, respectively. Taşova et al [ 26 ] detected parasitic infections in ~27% of hematology patients undergoing chemotherapy with neutropenia.…”

“…In this study, there was no association between the presence of parasites and intestinal symptoms. Some authors suggest that, during hematological therapy, patients do not report gastric symptoms due to the immunosuppression which delays the inflammatory response [ 15 ]. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea have been reported in hemato-oncological patients with blastocystosis.…”

“…Although some Blastocystis spp. infections indicate the pathogenic nature of this protozoan, usually they are asymptomatic [ 15 ]. Tan [ 38 ] observed that a large number of parasites in the intestine (>5 parasites per high-power field) entails gastrointestinal symptoms.…”

“…Most studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasite in patients with HM were conducted in tropical countries, with a prevalence rate from 12% in patients receiving chemotherapy for HM in Turkey to 69.5% in pediatric patients with hematologic neoplasms in Mexico [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”