Intestinal Parasites in an Egyptian Village of the Nile Valley with Emphasis on the Protozoa

Deaner K. Lawless Parasitology Department, Naval Medical School, NNMC Bethesda, Maryland

Search for other papers by Deaner K. Lawless in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Robert E. Kuntz Parasitology Department, Naval Medical School, NNMC Bethesda, Maryland

Search for other papers by Robert E. Kuntz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
C. P. A. Strome Parasitology Department, Naval Medical School, NNMC Bethesda, Maryland

Search for other papers by C. P. A. Strome in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Summary

The incidence of intestinal parasites, with emphasis on the protozoa, in a small sample of the agricultural population of the Nile valley in Egypt was determined by study of stool specimens. A single specimen was taken on 6 separate surveys over a period of 2½ years. Figures for incidence of the protozoa and most of the helminths are unusually high. Entamoeba histolytica, E. coli and Endolimax nana occurred in 97, 98 and 93 per cent of specimens respectively. Enteromonas hominis, a protozoan frequently overlooked, was detected in 74 per cent. Fourteen per cent of the people had the small race of E. histolytica alone, whereas only 3 per cent were infected with the large race alone. Hookworm and Trichostrongylus eggs were found in 71 and 70 per cent respectively of specimens examined, Ascaris in 51 per cent and Enterobius vermicularis in 59 per cent. Such a high incidence of infection reflects the living conditions of the people from whom the material for examination was obtained.

Save