Author:
El Achkar Hani,Ghandour Lina,Farran Sarah,Araj George F
Abstract
Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major medical and public health problem, especially in developing countries. This study aimed at comparing the prevalence and types of IPI during pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemics, and with data reported in Lebanon a decade ago.
Methodology: Stool specimen results from a total of 4,451 and 4,158 patients were examined using the concentration method during the pre-covid (2017-2018) and post-covid (2020-2021) pandemic periods, respectively. Demographic information related to patient’s age and gender was recorded.
Results: The overall positive detected parasites among the total tested in these two periods were 589 (13.2%) and 310 (7.5%), respectively. The protozoa accounted for most parasites (e.g., Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli (E. coli), Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia). Only B. hominis and E. coli showed significant differences; B. hominis was more prevalent in the post-covid period (33.5%) whereas E. coli in the pre-covid phase (44.5%). Among gender, E. histolytica was higher in males during the post-covid period (13.3% vs. 6.3%). Regarding age, adults (between 26 and 55 years) had the highest prevalence, with a noticeable decrease among the elderly in the post-covid time. Compared to the previous decade, the prevalence of B. hominis and E. coli remained higher, and that of E. histolytica and G. lamblia was almost the same.
Conclusions: These findings indicate an overall reduction in the prevalence of IPI during the post-covid period, though IPIs persistence remains high. This highlights the need for enhancing public health awareness efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation to reduce parasitic prevalence in Lebanon.
Publisher
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Subject
Virology,Infectious Diseases,General Medicine,Microbiology,Parasitology
Cited by
2 articles.
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