Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Abstract

Detection of Different Enteric Protozoa Parasites with Combination of Immunological and Microscopic Methods, in Albania

Erjona Abazaj, Oltiana Petri, Ela Ali, Brunilda Hysaj, Sonela Xinxo, Nereida Dalanaj, Ridvana Mediu, Silva Bino and Shpëtim Qyra

Enteric protozoa are associated with diarrhoeal illnesses in humans, particularly in children, and represent a significant threat to public health that often was neglected. Several enteric protozoa cause severe morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals worldwide. Therefore, the study aims were to estimate the prevalence of enteric protozoa in children, comparison of the efficiency of microscopy and ELISA procedure in diagnose of protozoa, and in addition to shed light on risk behaviour for enteric protozoa. During September 2013-August 2014 we have examined 115 hospitalized patients in “Mother Theresa” hospital center in Tirana Albania, for Entamoeba histolytica; Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. Two methods, classic microscopy and ELISA were used for examination of enteric parasites in our study. The average year was 6.66 and the minimum age was 3 months old and maximum 15 years old. Based to the data 53.04% were female and 46.95% male. The prevalence of E histolytica; C parvum and G lamblia resulted 4.34%, 2.6% and 12.17% respectively by microscopy. By ELISA method the prevalence resulted 7.82%, 4.34% and 20.87% respectively. Also about 18; 44; 44 samples respectively are considered as equivocal by ELISA test. This high result of equivocal test to patients maybe were as result of the cross reaction between protozoa parasites. Depended of the methods that we have used the male were the most contaminated sex. In our study ELISA methods resulted to be more sensitive compared to classic microscopic, but other tests like PCR-based tests need to be used for understanding the actual prevalence and epidemiology of these protozoan parasites.