Evaluation of amoebiosis, giardiosis, and blastocystosis infections in patients over 18 years of age followed-up with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate amoebiosis, giardiosis, and blastocystosis infections in patients over 18 years of age followed-up with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis.
METHODS: The study included 3848 patients with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis who were admitted to the XXX Training and Research Hospital with the complaint of diarrhea between 2016 and 2019 and were hospitalized.
RESULTS: Of the 3848 patients included in the study, E. histolytica was found in 6.8% (3848/262), G. intestinalis was found in 3.6% (3848/137), and Blastocystis spp. was found in %3 (3848/117). When the incidence of parasites according to the age groups of the patients was examined, it was determined that G. intestinalis and E. histolytica were mostly seen in the age range of 50–65 years, and the difference in the incidence of E. histolytica was statistically significant (p = 0.026). It was determined that the incidence of Blastocystis spp. increased with age (p = 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between E. histolytica and the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the stool.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that G. intestinalis and E. histolytica are the leading parasitic infections that are still important and need to be combated in the XXX region, and that the increase in the frequency of B. hominis over the years should not be ignored.