The prevalence  of intestinal parasitic infections during two different periods with 40 years gap among persons referred to parasitology Lab., Emamreza Hospital, Mashhad.

Fanaei, Hamed; Fata, َAbdolmajid; Zarean, Mehdi; Berenji, Fariba; Jarahi, Lida

doi:10.22038/mjms.2025.77346.4503

The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections during two different periods with 40 years gap among persons referred to parasitology Lab., Emamreza Hospital, Mashhad.

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Hamed Fanaei ¹ ^¶

َAbdolmajid Fata ² ^¶

Mehdi Zarean ³

Fariba Berenji ²

Lida jarahi ⁴

¹ Medical Doctor

² Professor of Parasitology and mycology, Emamreza Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

³ Associate Professor of Parasitology and mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

⁴ Professor of Social medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2025.77346.4503

Abstract

Objective: to compare the rate of intestinal parasitic infections among individuals referred to parasitology lab. Emamreza Hospital, during two different periods with more than 40 years gap.
Methods: The data about intestinal parasitic infection was obtained from parasitology laboratory in Emamreza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, during 2 different periods, March 1976 -77 and March 2016 -17. Demographic data and records of intestinal parasite among persons referred to Parasitology Lab. were obtained and analyzed.
Results: In the first phase of study, among 2713 individuals examined, 1817 positive cases were diagnosed. This number decreased in the second phase of the study to 746 out of 5762 cases. Helminthes infection decreased in the second phase. The incidence of protozoa infection was also decreased. On the other hand, the rate of protozoa infections due to immunodeficiency has been increased significantly.
Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasites and especially intestinal helminthes has been decreased significantly compared to 40 years before. Underlying immunodeficient diseases play an important role on emerging and reemerging parasitic infections.

Keywords

Parasite

intestinal protozoa

intestinal helminthes

prevalence

Mashhad

Subjects