Evaluation of Amoebiosis, Giardiosis, and Blastocystosis Infections in Patients Over 18 Years of Age Followed-Up With a Diagnosis of Gastroenteritis

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate amoebiosis, giardiosis, and blastocystosis infections in patients over 18 years of age followed-up with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis. The study included 3848 patients with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis who were admitted to the SBU Van Training and Research Hospital with the complaint of diarrhea between 2016 and 2019 and were hospitalized. Of the 3848 patients included in the study, Entamoeba histolytica was found in 6.8% (3848/262), Giardia intestinalis was found in 3.6% (3848/137), and Blastocystis spp. was found in 3% (3848/117). When the incidence of parasites according to the age groups of the patients was examined, it was determined that Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica were mostly seen in the age range of 50–65 years, and the difference in the incidence of Entamoeba histolytica was statistically significant (p = 0.026). It was determined that the incidence of Blastocystis spp. increased with age (p = 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between Entamoeba histolytica and the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the stool. It was concluded that Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica are the leading parasitic infections that are still important and need to be combated in the Van region, and that the increase in the frequency of Blastocystis spp. over the years should not be ignored. © 2023, Yuzuncu Yil Universitesi Tip Fakultesi. All rights reserved.