Status of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in a Tertiary Care Center

  • Ajaya Basnet Department of Medical Microbiology, Shi-Gan International College of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
  • Arun Bahadur Chand Department of Microbiology, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Nayanum Pokhrel Research Section, Nepal Health Research Council, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
  • Parbati Gurung Department of Medical Microbiology, Shi-Gan International College of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
  • Junu Richhinbung Rai Department of Microbiology, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute Of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sohani Bajracharya Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kanti Children’s’ Hospital, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
  • Sadiksha Acharya Department of Medical Microbiology, Shi-Gan International College of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
  • Lok Bahadur Shrestha School of Medical Sciences and The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v20i02.4049

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are diseases of serious public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal. Such infections can cause growth retardation and increased susceptibility to other parasitic infections. Hence, this study aims to assess the prevalence of IPIs among the patients attending a tertiary care hospital in central Nepal.
Methods: Clinical and laboratory records of patients, whose stool samples were collected and transported to the Department of Clinical Microbiology, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, during 2 years (January 2019 and December 2020) were examined for parasitological findings, by conventional microscopy using normal saline and iodine preparation.
Results: Out of 3,146 patients included in the study, 411 (13.1%) patients (median age[IQR]: 27[12-45]) were infected with the intestinal parasites. Patients of different age groups, such as 20-30 years (16.1%), 10-20 years (14.1%), and 30-40 years (13.3%) were mostly infected. Infection was more common in females (221/1572, 14.1%) than males (190/1574, 12.1%). There were 373 (90.8%) cases of IPIs due to Entamoeba histolytica, 34 (8.3%) cases due to Giardia lamblia, and 4 (0.9%) cases due to helminths. The prevalence of IPI in the first and second years was 14.5% (260/1794) and 11.2% (151/1352), respectively. IPIs were more common in summer (n=87, 12.8%) and spring(n=81, 10.8%).
Conclusions: Present study showed a declined prevalence of helminth infection. However, a higher rate of protozoan infection indicated the water source contamination with fecal matters and therefore urgencies for awareness among the public about hygienic practices.
Keywords: Hospital visiting patients; intestinal parasitic infections; Nepal

Published
2022-11-03
How to Cite
BasnetA., ChandA. B., PokhrelN., GurungP., RaiJ. R., BajracharyaS., AcharyaS., & ShresthaL. B. (2022). Status of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in a Tertiary Care Center . Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 20(02), 505-509. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v20i02.4049
Issue
Vol. 20 No. 02 (2022): Issue 55 April-June, 2022
Section
Original Article

Copyright (c) 2022 Ajaya Basnet, Arun Bahadur Chand, Nayanum Pokhrel, Parbati Gurung, Junu Richhinbung Rai, Sohani Bajracharya, Sadiksha Acharya, Lok Bahadur Shrestha

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