Abstract

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among suspected referred patients to Reference laboratory of Ilam in the west of Iran during the period March 2010 to April 2010. samples were collected from 1600 suspected referred patients to Reference laboratory of Ilam in the west of Iran during the period March 2010 to April 2010. The stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites by direct microscopic. The results indicate that intestinal parasitic infections among patients in the study area are mainly water-borne. Intestinal parasites were detected by direct smear in 154 of 1600 (9.6) suspected referred patients to the laboratory. At least one intestinal parasite was found in stool samples from 124 patients, two parasites in 27, and mixed infections with 3 parasites were seen in stool samples of 3 patients. The parasites were Giardia intestinalis 77 (50), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar 19 (12.3), Entamoeba con 36 (23.3). The prevalence of E. histolytica found in the present study of 1.8 was based on microscopy positive samples only. Presumably, the number of E. histolytica positive cases would be higher if all samples were tested by Molecular. The ratio of E. histolytica to E. dispar found in this study of 1:3.5 is higher than the estimated global ratio of 1:10.