ABSTRACT

In this study carried out from 2000-2004, a total of 34,883 stool samples were examined using native-Lugol and flotation/ sedimentation methods and 9,879 cellophane tape preparations were examined directly. Intestinal parasites were found in 9,704 (27.8%) of the specimens. The parasites that were found and their prevalence is as follows: Blastocystis hominis, 6,723 (19.3%), Entamoeba coli, 1,007 (2.9%), Giardia intestinalis, 892 (2.6%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, 798 (2.3%), Endolimax nana, 486 (1.4%), Entamoeba hartmanni, 252 (0.7%), Enterobius vermicularis, 242 (0.7%), Iodamoeba bütschlii, 109 (0.3%), Taenia saginata, 92 (0.3%), Chilomastix mesnili, 67 (0.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides, 55 (0.2%); and Hymenolepis nana, 40 (0.1%).