title: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in referred individuals to the medical centers of Tonekabon city, Mazandaran province.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relation with socio-demographic data in referred individuals to the medical centers in Tonekabon, Mazandaran province, 2015.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Due to the climatic and ecological conditions in Mazandaran province, determination of the status of intestinal parasites among referred individuals to the medical centers of Tonekabon city can help researchers and healthcare services to prevent and/or control of parasitic infection in this region.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was conducted with randomized sampling in 2015 on 820 stool samples. Stool samples were assessed using direct slide smear with saline and Lugol, formalin-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen and trichrome staining. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using specific primers was conducted for the samples suspected forEntamoeba histolytica/E.disparandCryptosporidiumspp. OneCryptosporidiumpositive sample in this study was submitted for sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 444 (54.1%) and 376 (45.9%) were male and female, respectively. Furthermore, 495 (60.4%) and 325 (39.6%) of participants had lived in the urban and rural areas, respectively. Overall, 222 participants (27.1%) were infected with at least one intestinal parasites. Prevalence of pathogenic protozoa (Giardia lambliaandCryptosporidiumspp.) and helminthes parasites was calculated as 3.1 and 1.2%, respectively. The most common intestinal parasites in this area were:Blastocystis153 (18.7%),Endolymax nana44 (5.4%),Entamoeba coli40 (4.9%),Giardia lamblia25 (3%),Iodamoeba butschlii22 (2.7%),Ascaris5 (0.6%),Enterobiusvermicularis4 (0.5%),Trichostrongylus1 (0.1%) andCryptosporidium1 (0.1%). By sequencing of the positiveCryptosporidiumisolate using Gp60 gene,Cryptosporidium parvumsubtype ΠaA16G2R1 was diagnosed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Protozoa were more abundant than helminthes andGiardia lambliawas the most common protozoan pathogen. In this study, no significant association was found between the prevalence and the variables of socio-demographic data. Adequate knowledge and periodic surveillance of the prevalence of parasites and the socio-demographic variables that affect their frequency is important for effective control of parasitic infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahdoust
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niyyati
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Eznoallah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Azargashb
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon Branch, Tonekabon, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Khataminejad
keywords: Intestinal parasites; Prevalence; Tonekabon