Intestinal parasites among presumably healthy individuals in Lebanon

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence period of intestinal parasites among presumably healthy subjects in Lebanon.

METHODS: One stool specimen from 2634 presumably healthy Lebanese subjects, mean age 32.1 years with a range of 14-71 years, resident of different areas in Lebanon was examined for the presence of parasites. The analysis took place in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon, over 25-months between 1995-1997.

RESULTS: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 12.4%. The most common parasites identified were Escherichia coli (3.8%), Giardia lamblia (3.1%) and Entamoeba histolytica (2.3%).

CONCLUSION: The data presented shows the need to improve hygienic conditions to contain the problem of intestinal infections with parasites in Lebanon.