Prevalence of Giardiasis and Entamoeba Species in Two of the Six Governorates of Kuwait

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are a global concern owing to elevated rates of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. Increased rates of intestinal parasitic infections are observed in developing and low-income countries. In Kuwait, many expatriates and foreigners hail from endemic countries, thus increasing the rate and risk factor of infection. This retrospective study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba sp. in stool samples handled by two of Kuwait’s general hospitals during the period from January 2018 to July 2019: Mubarak Al Kabeer (serving Hawalli governorate population) and Aladan hospitals (serving Mubarak Al Kabeer governorate population) serving 27% of total Kuwait population with Kuwaitis making up only 32%. A total of 9,653 samples were tested for consistency and the availability of any parasitic particles using visual, direct wet mount, and concentration method. Statistical analysis was implemented using SPSS statistical program, at p < 0.05 . Of all the 9,653 tested stool samples, 74 were positive for G. lamblia or Entamoeba sp. This represented a mere 1% rate of infection and showed no significant correlation to the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in Kuwait. On the other hand, comparing the rate of infection in different seasons revealed an increased rate of infection during spring compared to other seasons ( p = 0.03 ). Findings revealed low rates of intestinal parasitic infection within the two governorates of Kuwait representing no statistical significance to the distribution of the investigated parasites in Kuwait. This may be attributed to improved living conditions and healthcare. Elevated infection rates in spring in relation to other seasons raised the importance of increasing public awareness during camping season for maintaining proper personal hygiene and waste management to contain and decrease the rate on infection.

Prevalence of Entameba histolytica , Gardia lambeli and Entameba coli infection associated with risk factors in Khartoum state-Sudan

“…Overall prevalence of G. lamblia, E. histolytica and E. coli among individual aged ( 5 year to 40 years) in Omdurman (Om Elhessin centre) 40%, which was in agreement with a study done in northwest Nigeria 36% and 35% in Saudia Arabia [9], other studies rreported higher rates of infection, in south Africa 64.8% , Pakistan 52% and Ethiopia 83.8% [8,9].…”

“…However PCR-based methods have also showed excellent specificity and sensitivity compared with microscopy as well with antigen detection [2] . Entamoeba histolytica is the cause of amoebic colitis, amoebic dysentery, and amoebic liver abscess, resulting in 100,000 deaths annually [8]. In recent year's biochemical, immunological and genetic differences between E. histolytica and E. dispar, which were previously known as pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of E. histolytica, respectively, have resulted in their description as two separate species [1,2].…”