Spectrum of Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Varanasi: Need to Protect School aged Children from Giardia Infection

摘要

Introduction: The ubiquity and widespread distribution of Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) is equally alarming despite tremendous efforts for their control. Periodic surveillance is required to detect the change in trends of IPIs based on different age groups.Aim: To determine the prevalence of IPIs among patients in different age groups attending the various departments of a tertiary care hospital in Varanasi.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Microbiology Department, Institute of Medical Sciences and associated University hospital over a period of 5 years. Non-repetitive, consecutive stool samples from 2723 patients that had been sent for parasitic examination were processed and examined by microscopy as per standard. Prevalence of IPI was studied in age groups 06-15 years, 16-30 years, 31-50 years, 51-70 years and above 70 years and data was statistically analyzed using Chi-Square test (Medcalc software version 15.11.14).Results: The prevalence of IPIs among patients attending the hospital was 8.63% (235/2723 cases), of which the most frequent infection was due to Entamoeba spp (62, 26.38%) followed by hookworm (59, 25.11%). Prevalence of infections with Giardia (2.69%) and Hymenolepis nana (2.69%) was significantly more (p16 years).Conclusion: Widespread distribution of intestinal parasites is still a major problem. Along with soil transmitted helminthes (STHs), giardiasis is a significant problem in children of school going age group. Besides mass drug administration for STHs in this age group, policies should also be directed to treat and eradicate Giardia infections.