Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Pathogens Among Gastroenteritis Patients in District Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Intestinal parasitic infections are widely prevalent in developing countries due to poor sanitation, and inadequate personal hygiene. The purpose of our study was to estimate the prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Pathogens among Gastroenteritis Patients in District Gilgit, Pakistan. A total of two hundred thirty seven fecal samples of the suspected referred gastroenteritis patients at District Headquarter Hospital Gilgit laboratory were analyzed for pathogenic parasitic infections. Out of 237 examined fecal samples by wet mount of fresh normal saline and iodine preparation 51.5% (122 cases; 95% Confidence Interval (C.I.): 45.1%, 57.8%) were found infected with different protozoan and helminth parasites. There were four types of helminth and two types of protozoan parasites found in the examined fecal specimens. Among the protozoans the highest frequency 19.8% (47 cases) of Giardia lamblia followed by 2.5% (6 cases) Entamoeba histolytica and among the helminthes the highest frequency 22.8% (54 cases) was noted for Ascaris lumbricoides followed by 4.6% (11 cases) Hymenolepis nana. Other helminthes found were 2.5% (6 cases) Trichurus trichiura, 1.7% (4 cases) Taenia saginata. There were 1.68% (4 cases) of mixed infestations of A. lumbricoides and T. trichura while 0.84% (2 cases) had A. lumbricoides and G. lamblia. Majority of the study participants were males. (60%; 142 cases). The infestation was higher in the 1-5 years age group as compared to others.