PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PROTOZOAN AND HELMINTH PARASITES IN SUKKUR, SINDH

Abstract

A total number of 3000 stool samples were collected from different laboratories of Sukkur, Sindh, during the period of June 2005 to May 2007 and were analyzed for various Protozoan and Helminth intestinal parasites. Stool examination was done by direct microscopic examination. Total 1050 (35%) cases were found with intestinal pathogenic parasites in their stools. The most common parasite was Gardia lamblia found in 380 (36.19%) cases. Entamoeba histolytica in 195 (18.57%) cases. Hymenolepis nana in 170 (16.19%) cases. Ascaris lumbricoides in 155 (14.76%) cases. Ancylostoma duodenale in 76 (7.24%) cases. Enterobius vermicularis in 44 (4.19%) cases. Trichuris trichiura in 19 (1.81%) cases and Taenia saginata in 11 (1.05%) cases. The frequency of parasitic infection is high in Sukkur, Sindh possibly due to low socio-economic status, lack of health education, poor sanitation and warm climate in this area.