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Intestinal opportunistic parasites among different groups of immunocompromised hosts
S M Abaza1, L M Makhlouf, K A el-Shewy
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
This study investigated intestinal opportunistic parasites in 427 immunocompromised patients. Opportunistic parasites were found in 23% of patients, with corticosteroid therapy patients most affected.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Immunocompromised Host Research
Background:
- Immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to opportunistic infections.
- Intestinal parasites pose a significant health risk in immunocompromised populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of intestinal opportunistic parasites.
- To identify specific parasite species and associated risk factors in various immunocompromised groups.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples were collected from 427 immunocompromised patients.
- Microscopic examination was used to detect intestinal opportunistic parasites.
Main Results:
- Overall prevalence of intestinal opportunistic parasites was 23%.
- Infection rates were higher in males (32.6%) than females (12.9%).
- Prevalence varied by condition: corticosteroid therapy (31.7%), renal failure (28.8%), malignancy (25.7%), and diabetes mellitus (8%).
- Giardia lamblia (10.3%) was the most common parasite, followed by Entamoeba histolytica (7%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (6.3%).
- Significant associations were found between Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium in mixed infections.
Conclusions:
- Immunocompromised patients, particularly those on corticosteroid therapy, renal failure, or malignancy, are at high risk for intestinal opportunistic parasitic infections.
- Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium are significant opportunistic pathogens in this population.
- Further research is needed to understand the relationship between risk factors and parasite prevalence.