Background & Aims: Intestinal parasitic infections are important Publ Health problems in developing countries. Different species of intestinal parasites are involved in human infection and depending on immunologic, physiologic, social and demographic factors can cause wide spectrum of signs and symptoms. Immunocompromised people and patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs are much more susceptible to parasitic infections and suffer more complications. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in immunodeficient patients of oncology clinic of Imam Khomeini hospital, Urmia, Iran.

  Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, stool samples of 101 patients who referred to oncology clinic were evaluated with direct wet smears and formalin-ether concentration method according to WHO protocol.

  Results: Out of 101 patients, 20 cases (19.8%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The prevalence of Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, Trichomonas hominis, Entamoeba coli Iodamoeba butschlii and Hymenolepis nana was 6.9%, 5.9%, 3.96%, 1.98%, 0.99%, and 0.99%, respectively. 21.2% of urban and 25% of illiterate patients, 38.46% with history of two periods of chemotherapy, and 25% of cases with non malignant disease showed parasitic infections.

  Conclusions: Regarding relatively higher intestinal parasitic infection in immunosuppressive and immunocompromised patients, it is recommended to perform strict health care measures and periodic and regular evaluations to prevent such infections. 

  Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(4): 388 ISSN: 1027-3727