A study on intestinal helminths causing human anaemia in Cairo

Area of Science:

• Clinical Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Parasitic infections are prevalent in Egypt, affecting both urban and rural populations.
• Common helminthic infections include Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Schistosoma mansoni, and Taenia saginata.
• These infections can lead to various clinical manifestations, including anemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hematological and biochemical profiles of Egyptians infected with common helminthic parasites.
• To compare the severity of anemia and associated hematological changes among different parasitic infections.

Main Methods:

• Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed on 50 Egyptian patients with confirmed parasitic infections.
• Parameters assessed included hemoglobin (Hb%), hematocrit, eosinophil count, total blood protein, blood cholesterol, and blood urea.
• Patients were categorized based on the specific parasitic infection identified.

Main Results:

• All infected individuals exhibited anemia of varying degrees.
• Ancylostomiasis cases presented with the lowest Hb% and hematocrit values, alongside severe hypochromia and the highest eosinophilia.
• Total blood protein levels were generally normal, with a slight elevation observed in two cases of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Blood cholesterol and urea levels remained unaffected.

Conclusions:

• Ancylostomiasis is associated with the most significant hematological disturbances, particularly severe anemia and hypochromia.
• While most parasitic infections studied did not cause major biochemical deviations, hematological monitoring is crucial for managing anemia in infected individuals.