ABSTRACT

In this study, the results of 2301 stool samples and 496 cellophane tapes that were examined in the Department of Parasitology, Medical Faculty of the Adnan Menderes University in Aydın between January-December 2002 were evaluated. The ages and gender of these patients as well as the seasonal distribution were evaluated. All of stool samples were examined by direct wet mount using Lugol solution and the formol-ethyl acetate concentration method on all samples. Trichrome staining and modified Kinyoun acid fast staining were used in ambiguous cases. Parasites were found in 103 (4.4%) out of 2301 stool samples examined during this period. The distribution of intestinal parasites was as follows: Blastocystis hominis in 58 (56.31%), Giardia intestinalis in 16 (15.53%), Entamoeba coli in 14 (13.59%), Endolimax nana in 4 (3.88%), Entamoeba hartmanni in 3 (2.91%), Chilomastix mesnili in 2 (1.94%), Iodamoeba bütschlii in 2 (1.94%), Hymenolepis nana in 2 (1.94%), Taenia spp. in 1 (0.97%), Entamoeba histolytica and/or Entamoeba dispar in 1 (0.97%) stool samples. Enterobius vermicularis was detected in 23 (4.6%) out of 496 cellophane tape samples. No difference in gender was found in patients with parasites. Of these patients, 52% were found to be less than 30 years of age. There was an increase in the prevalence of parasites during the summer and autumn. This study showed that the distribution of parasites in the province of Aydin is similar to that of other cities in the western part of Turkey and that intestinal parasitic infections are still an important public health problem in our city.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, Aydin