A retrospective study on the prevalence of taenia saginata*

Objective The determine the prevalence of taenia saginata in fecal samples brought to microbiology laboratory of Fırat University Medical School. Method A total of 25.077 fecal samples and 5.066 cellophane tape preparations were examined for Taenia saginata between 1987-93 in Microbiology Laboratory of Fırat University Medical School. Results Six hundred and seventy nine (2.3%) samples were positive for T. saginata. In positive samples 464 (68%) belonged to women and 215 (32%) belonged to men. Fecal samples were analysed by macroscopic examination, direct and sedimentation methods, and examined under the microscope. For cellophane tape preparations, the samples were taken at early morning hours and examined on the same day under the microscope. Conclusion The results indicate that T.saginata infection is still a significant public health problem in Elazığ vicinity.