Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia Associated with Infectious Diarrhea in Al-Shomally population, Babil, Iraq

Background: Entamoeba histolytica (Eh) causes amebiasis in humans and is in charge of 100,000 deaths yearly, making it the third driving reason for death because of a protozoan parasite. Giardiasis is a main diarrheal disease with international allocation caused by Giardia lamblia. Aim of the Study: To show the current prevalence of Eh and G. lamblia infection among people living in Al-Shomally region in Babil, Middle of Iraq, as a cause of diarrhea in the community and for thorough recognition of this social problem and its important drawbacks on the general health. Methods: A total of 3176 patients with different ages attending the Al-Shomally General Hospital in Babil Province, middle of Iraq, in 2015 were involved. After collection, samples examined via macroscopic and microscopic examination for the presence of Eh and G. lamblia utilizing normal saline and lugholes iodine by direct method examination. Results: From 3176 patients with diarrheal episodes, 699 (22%) were infected by either of Eh (17.91%) or by G. lamblia (4.09%). The highest rate of infections of Eh and G. lamblia was in the age group of 15-44 years and more than 45 years, respectively. Most infection of Eh occurs in February. No significant differences between male and female (50.65% and 49.35% respectively) were observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrated high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection (Eh and G. lamblia) in the investigation region. Eh is prominent etiology of dysentery in Al-Shomally region. There is an urgent need to improve the living conditions, providing proper sewage disposal system and health education, and treat the infected persons by applying survey programs for parasites.