DETECTION OF Blastocystis hominis AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING HOSPITALS OF DUHOK CITY – KURDISTAN REGION – IRAQ
Abstract
Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite causing diarrhea in human and animals
in developing countries. The present cross-sectional study was carried out during the period
from November 2017 to August 2018 in Duhok city - Kurdistan region of Iraq. A total 579 stool
samples from both gender and different ages (one year->60 years) suffering from primary
gastrointestinal disorders who attended Azadi Teaching, Golan, and Heevi Teaching Pediatric
Hospitals in Duhok City – Kurdistan Region.
The stool samples were divided into two portions, the first portion was cultured in Ringer’s
solution containing 10% horse serum and 0.05% asparagine and incubated at 37 °C for 3–4
days, then a specimen from the culture was screened under the light microscope (40X) for the
detection of Blastocystis. While the second sample was mixed with physiological saline (0.85%)
and Lugol’s iodine, and then examined under the light microscope with objective lens (40X) for
the detection of other intestinal protozoa. Identification of parasites was done according to
morphological features.
In this study 16.93% (98 of 579) of the enrolled patients were positive for the cysts of B.
hominis in their stools. The age group > 60 years showed the highest rate of infection (21.28%),
while the lowest rate was 13.4% in the age group from 31-40 year, with non-significant
difference(P>0.05) between them. The rate was higher (20.79%) in the children group versus
adults (16.11%) with also non-significant difference (P>0.05) between both groups.
Furthermore, males showed higher rate (62.25%) of infection versus females (37.75%), but
this rate was statistically non-significant (P>0.05). Regarding other recorded intestinal protozoa,
Entamoeba histolytica was recorded at a rate of 11.23 % of the positive cases (98 patients) with
B. hominis. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference (P >0.05) with this
association. Giardia lamblia was reported in 8.16% of positive cases with B. hominis, this
association was statistically significant (P <0.05).
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