Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoa among Saudi Patients with Chronic Renal Failure: A Case-Control Study.
It has been hypothesized that chronic renal failure (CRF) predisposes patients to infection with intestinal protozoa. We tested this hypothesis with a matched case-control study to determine the prevalence of these protozoa and their diarrhea associated symptoms among 50 patients with CRF (cases) from Taif, western Saudi Arabia. Fifty diarrheal patients without CRF were recruited in the study as controls. Participants were interviewed by a structured questionnaire and stool samples were collected. Samples were thoroughly examined with microscopy and three coproantigens detection kits. Enteric protozoa were detected in 21 cases and 14 controls. Blastocystis spp. were the most predominant parasite (16% in cases versus 8% in controls), followed by Giardia duodenalis (10% in cases versus 12% in controls) and Cryptosporidium spp. (10% in cases versus 6% in controls). Cyclospora cayetanensis was identified in two cases, while Entamoeba histolytica was described in one case and one control. Intestinal parasitism was positively associated with the male gender, urban residence, and travel history. Clinical symptoms of nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain were significantly varied between the parasitized cases and controls (P value ≤ 0.05). Given the results, we recommend screening all diarrheal feces for intestinal protozoa in the study's population, particularly those with CRF.
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Medical Parasitology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koom, Menoufia 23513, Egypt.
Yousry A
YA
Hawash
Department of Community Medicine, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koom, Menoufia 23513, Egypt.
Laila Sh
LSh
Dorgham
Department of Medical Parasitology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koom, Menoufia 23513, Egypt ; Parasitology Department, Rabigh Medical College, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
El-Amir M
el-AM
Amir
Department of Medical Parasitology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koom, Menoufia 23513, Egypt.
Osama F
OF
Sharaf