Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Intestinal parasitic infestation represents a considerable medical and public health problem in the developing countries and up to 10% of the population of the developing world is infected with intestinal worms(1).
OBJECTIVE:
This study was initiated to investigate the prevalence of H. nana infection in rural environments in Baghdad and to determine if the prevalence could be linked to the availability of water and sanitation facilities.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
This study included 300 patients in the Abu-Ghraib province. Stool smear were prepared for each sample stool culture for Shigella spp. . Hemoglobin estimation was evaluated by Cyanmethemoglobin method.
RESULTS:
From 300 patients only 20 ( 6.67 %) were positive for H.nana ,the male to female ratio was 14:6 , heamoglubulin range from 10.5 -13 g/dl.The age group 1–5 years had the highest rate (50%) ,While the age group more than 20 years were the lowest (5 %); boys have a higher rate (70%) than girls. Other parasitic species found in fecal sample of these patients in association with H.nana infection were Giardia lambli(10%), Entamoeba histolytica(5%) while (5%) of patients were infecting with both Giardia lambli and Entamoeba histolytica, some of these patients (15%) in microscopic examination revealed PMN cell and the stool culture of them were positive for Shigella species.
CONCLUSION:
Our data suggested that ,the prevalence of H.nana infection was 6.67% in Abu -Ghraib city and diagnosis and treatment of patients are the clue in eradication of H.nana