High Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar and Enterobius vermicularis Among Elderly and Mentally Retarded Residence in Golabchi Center, Kashan, Iran, 2006-2007

Background: Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar and Enterobius vermicularis are the major health problems in the developing countries especially in Iran. The prevalence of infection is variable among different social groups in the world. Objectives: Since elderly and mentally retarded are high risk group, the present survey was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites especially these parasites in elderly and mentally retarded residence in Golabchi Center, Kashan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this Cross-sectional study a total of 243 stool samples and 279 Scotch tapes from elderly and mentally retarded people were collected. Intestinal parasitic infections especially E.histolytica/E.dispar was determined by Stool examination. Scotch tape was used for diagnosis of Enterobius vermicularis. The demographic data were recorded by questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS and X2. Results: The overall infection rate of intestinal parasite was 78.7% (191 out of 243 subjects). The prevalence of E.histolytica/E.dispar and E.vermicularis in elderly were 16.8%, 25.5% and in mentally retarded 15%, 49.1% respectively. Prevalence of pathogenic parasites was: Taenia spp. 1.6%, Hymenolepis nana 0.8%, one case of Strongyloides stercoralis, Blastocystis hominis 33.3%, Giardia lamblia 4.5%, Dientamoeba fragilis 1.6%. The rate of infection in mentally retarded was higher than elderly (P < 0.001). The prevalence of E.vermicularis in the male was 2.5 times more than female (P < 0.001). There was significant relation between annual itching and nail chewing and Enterobiasis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that infection with intestinal parasites especially E.histolytica/E.dispar and E.vermicularis was higher than expected in elderly and mentally retarded. Due to importance of these parasites and some risk factors such as population density and an immunosuppressive background in elderly, health education and mass medication for control of disease is emphasized.