Incidence of intestinal protozoan infection in the children of urban and pre-urban areas of Quetta district

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Research Paper 01/05/2020
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Incidence of intestinal protozoan infection in the children of urban and pre-urban areas of Quetta district

Asia Ali, Shahab-ud-Din Kakar, Syed Inamullah, Syed Akhtar Muhammad
Int. J. Biosci. 16(5), 54-59, May 2020.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2020; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

The current study was conducted during June 2018 to May 2019 in rural and pre-urban areas of Quetta district to examine the incidence of intestinal protozoan parasitic infections. In this study the children were divided into three age groups ranging from 1-5, 6-12 and 13 to18 years. A total number of 806 stool samples were collected from different parts of Quetta district and analyzed in the pathological laboratories. The stool samples were examined microscopically by using iodine and saline solutions to identify cyst and trophozoite stages of protozoa respectively.The Overall incidence of intestinal protozoan parasites was 340(42.2 %). While 3 species ofprotozoa Giardia lamblia, Entamoebahistolyticaand Entamoebacoli were detected with incidence rate of 160(19.8%), 128(15.9 %) and 52 (6.5 %) respectively. The infection rate was observed higher 197(24.4 %) in the age group of 6-12 years followed by 121(15 %) in age group (13-18 years).While children of age group 1-5 years noted the lowest infection rate of 22 (2.7 %).Gender wise infection rate was found higher in male 202(25.1 %) than the in females 138 (17.1 %), this difference was statistically significant. While 5 ethnic groups were determine and observed the highest infection rate in Balochi children96 (12 %) followed by Pathan92 (11.4 %), Sindhi 76 (9.4 %), Punjabi 64 (7.9%) and lowest in Hazara 12 (1.5 %). In the urban population, the Protozoan parasites were found in 129(37.9) % of fecal specimens. Giardia lamlia ,Entamoebahistolyticaand E.coli were the commonest organisms representing 66(8.2%), 43(5.3%) and20(2.5%) respectively, of the overall prevalence rates in the urban population. In the rural population, parasites were observed in 211(26.2%) of fecal specimens. Infection with Giardia lamlia was highest 94(11.7%), followed byEntamobahistolytica with 85(10.6%) and with Entamoeba coli was32 (4%) respectively.

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