Seasonal and Circadian Fluctuations of Human Intestinal Parasites in El-Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt | ||
| Catrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences | ||
| Article 2, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 9-16 PDF (641.86 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| Authors | ||
| Alaa El-Din Sallam* 1; Maha Soliman1; Khairi Helal1; Sabry Ahmad2 | ||
| 1Zoology Dept., Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt | ||
| 2Zoology Dept., Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The present study aims to monitor the incidence of human intestinal parasites and their seasonal fluctuations in El-Dakahlia governorate. Human fecal specimens from 428 patients visiting Meet- Ghamr general hospital were monthly collected during different sampling circadian time: morning, afternoon and evening, throughout the period from 2007 to 2009. Microscopic examination was performed using both direct smear and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Anti-Schistosoma specific antibodies in sera of 279 patients were examined using indirect haemagglutination test. The results demonstrated that the overall prevalence of eight identified intestinal parasites reached, in a descending order,Entamoebahistolytica (52.34%), Schistosomamansoni (37.63%), Ascarislumbricoides (26.86%), Hymenolepis nana (16.35%), Giardia lamblia (5.14%), Enterobiusvermicularis (3.73%), Trichuristrichiura (0.46%), and Trichomonashominis (0.23%). Highest prevalence was recorded for E. histolytica(87.80%) and G. lamblia (14.63%) during summer, whereas for S. mansoni(73.08%) andA. lumbricoides (36.62%) during autumn, and for H.nana (22.07%) during winter. Highest incidence was observed in the morning samples for S.mansoni(38.27%). Meanwhile, evening samples demonstrated highest incidence for E. histolytica (75.41%) and A. lumbricoides(36.07%). A marked sex-related difference regarding the infection prevalence was found. Moreover, most of the parasitic infections were the highest in age <=10 years.In conclusion, sampling at a definite circadian time and in a proper month will precisely indicate the parasite prevalence rate. This will consequently optimize monitoring and controlling of the parasite community. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| seasonal; circadian; Intestinal parasites; prevalence; El-Dakahlia governorate | ||
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