Molecular and Parasitological Study on Selected Opportunistic Intestinal Parasites in Immunocompromised Patients

Abstract

The common opportunistic parasites which cause morbidity and/or death in immunocompromised
populations are predominantly gastrointestinal ones. This study explained the molecular and parasitological
aspects on selected opportunistic intestinal parasites in selected groups of immune compromised patients
from Al-Anbar hospitals and private laboratories.
In the current study, were taken (130) stool samples from immune compromised patients divided into three
groups (50) chemotherapy recipient, (40) chronic renal failures, (40) diabetic Mellitus, and (30) samples
apparently healthy as control. A questionnaire was filled out on each subject including all personal and
medical history. Stool samples were collected from all groups for detection of the parasites.
The results were displayed the ratio of opportunistic parasites in (55.3)% of patients, and healthy control
was (3.3)%. The results showed that the highest group had parasites in those with chemotherapy (64)%,
chronic renal failure (57.5)%, and diabetic (42.5)% individually. The highest rate of infection appeared with
Blastocystis hominins(26.1%), Cryptosporidium(22.3%), and Cyclospora cayetanensis (8.4%). The age of
the patient was ranged between 4-66 years, the Mean was 47.5 and deviation was± 9.12, also, the weight
of the patient was ranging between 14-85, the mean was 70.3 and deviation ± 8.07. Three cases of mixed
infection were detected.