Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Shush County, Southwest of Iran during 2014 - 2016

[Background]Approximately, one-third of the worlds population are in the influence of intestinal parasite infections (IPIs). The infections can cause a whole range of clinical symptoms such as watery or mucoid diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and nausea, abdominal pains, as well as a fever.[Objectives]The aim of this study was to evaluate IPIs in Shush County, southwest Iran, during 2014 - 2016.[Methods]In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, 15132 stool samples were collected during 2014 - 2016. The stool samples were evaluated microscopically for the presence of parasite trophozoites, cysts, and eggs using direct and formalin-ether concentration methods. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and statistical Chi-square test.[Results]Of the 15132 stool samples, 778 (5.14%) were positive for IPIs, where 429 (55.14%) were female and 349 (44.85%) were males, respectively. Entamoeba histolitica/dispar was detected as the most common parasite in 313 (2.06%) specimens (172 females, 141 males). Other parasites were included, 158 (1.04%) Giardia lamblia (83 females, 75 males), 150 (0.99%) Blastocystis hominis (84 females, 66 males), and 155 (1.02%) Entamoeba coli (90 females, 65 males). Furthermore, 2 (.0.013%) Trichuris trichiura were detected only in males.[Conclusions]The results show that a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections were observed among individuals. Since the parasitic infections can cause malabsorption, severe diarrhea, paralytic ileum, intestinal obstruction, cholecystitis, liver inflammation, pulmonary, as well as renal complications, the health authorities of Shush County must pay more attention to control and prevent the transmission of intestinal parasites to individuals.