Abstract:
Parasite infections are common during the
critical developmental period in children. The occurrences
of intestinal parasites are also common in orphanage,
nurseries and schools in Turkey. The study was carried out
to determine the percentage of microsporidium and intestinal
parasites in children from Malatya, Turkey. This study
was carried out at the Department of Parasitology of Inonu
University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, during January–
December 2006. Totally, 1,181 stool samples were examined
using the native-Lugol, sedimentation-techniques,
modified trichrome (MTS), acid-fast-trichrome stain and
calcofluor staining methods. In addition, perianal region
material was taken from the children to examine with
cellophane tape method. Power analyses were performed
for statistical analyses used. Microsporidia were found in
92 (7.8%) of the samples, and also intestinal parasites were
detected in 329 (27.8%). The numbers of infections
according to the species were as follows: 69 (5.8%)
Entamoeba coli, 7 (0.6%) Blastocystis hominis, 114 (9.7%)
Giardia intestinalis, 15 (1.3%) Iodomoeba butchlii, 8
(0.7%) Dientamoeba fragilis, 7 (0.6%) Taenia spp. 70
(5.9%) Enterobius vermicularis, 11 (0.9%) Hymenolepis
nana, 25 (2.1%) Trichomonas intestinalis, 1 (0.1%) Ascaris
lumbricoides and 2 (0.2%) Chilomastix mesnilii. Also,greater than 90% power values were achieved for statistical
analyses. Whereas the detection rates of microsporidium
and intestinal parasites were found to be low, it was concluded
that in addition to intestinal parasites, microsporidium
should be also searched for in children with
complaints of intestinal system.
