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Vol. 14. Issue 1.
Pages 15-18 (January - February 2010)
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Vol. 14. Issue 1.
Pages 15-18 (January - February 2010)
Original article
Open Access
Intestinal parasitic infections in renal transplant recipients
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Mehdi Azami1,
Corresponding author
mehdi.azami@gmail.com

Correspondence to: Department of Parasitology & Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Telephone number: +98-913-366 8290.
, Mehran Sharifi2, Sayed Hossein Hejazi1, Mehdi Tazhibi3
1 Department of Parasitology & Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Abstract

The impact of intestinal parasitic infection in renal transplant recipients requires careful consideration in the developing world. However, there have been very few studies addressing this issue in Iran. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in renal transplant recipients in Iran. Stool specimens from renal transplant recipients and control groups were obtained between June 2006 and January 2007. The samples screened for intestinal parasitic infections using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, Sheather's flotation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining methods. Out of 150 renal transplant recipients, 33.3% (50), and out of 225 control group, 20% (45) were infected with one or more type of intestinal parasites. The parasites detected among patients included Entamoeba coli (10.6%), Endolimax nana (8.7%), Giardia lamblia (7.4%), Blastocystis spp. (4.7%), Iodamoeba butschlii (0.7%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.7%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.7%). Multiple infections were more common among renal transplant recipients group (p < 0.05). This study highlights the importance of testing for intestinal parasites among Iranian renal transplant recipients. Routine examinations of stool samples for parasites would significantly benefit the renal transplant recipients by contributing to reduce severe infections.

Keywords:
intestinal parasites
renal transplant recipients
prevalence
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This study received financial support from the Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

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