Opportunistic Intestinal Protozoal Infections among Immunosuppressed Patients in a Tertiary Hospital Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Intestinal parasitosis constitutes a major public health problem, especially in developing countries intestinal protozoa parasites play an important role in triggering diseases in specific groups such as immunocompromised individuals and young children. Methods: A total of 269 stool samples were collected from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makah, Saudi Arabia. Two groups of patients were studied, 139 immunosuppressed patients and 130 immunocompetent patients. Stool samples were examined by wet saline and iodine mounts. A concentration technique, Mini parasep® Concentrator was carried out for negative stool samples by wet saline and iodine mounts. Samples were stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The ImmunoCard STAT CGE rapid test was done for the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. Aim of the present work: The present study determines the prevalence and symptoms associated with opportunistic intestinal protozoal infections among immunosuppressed patients in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Total 60 cases (43.2%) were positive for parasitic infections among immunosuppressed patients, whereas 28 cases (21.5%) were positive in the control immunocompetent group. Blastocystis hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum were the most common protozoan infections in immunosuppressed patients (33.3% and 28.3%, respectively). Giardia lamblia was the most common protozoan infection in the control group (53.6%). The most frequent symptoms among the immunosupressed patients were: flatulence, (39.5%); weight loss, (24.4%); abdominal pain, (15.1%); diarrhea, (9.3%). There was a significant difference between the two groups: flatulence and abdominal pain were more prevalent in the control group than in immunosupressed patients (p < 0.05).