Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Inmates of Orphanages in Alexandria Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

The present study was conducted on inmates of six orphanages in Alexandria Egypt. Study sample included 221 orphans in order to investigate the pattern of intestinal parasitic infections. Formol ether sedimentation technique was used to recover intestinal parasites. Modified Zeihl Neelsen staining technique was used to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts and scotch tape technique was applied for children aged 1 –6 years to diagnose enterobiasis. 24 sweeping and 192 door locker samples were also processed and examined microscopically for the presence of parasitic cysts and ova. Overall, 28% of examined children were infected. Prevalence of direct and indirect transmitted parasites was 22% and 9% respectively. Bad personal hygiene was associated with high percentage of infection. Prevalence of both giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis was higher among diarrheic children. Sweeping and door locker samples were all negative thus stressing the role of personal hygiene among the study sample as a predisposing factor for intestinal parasitosis.

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