Background: Several parasites are responsible for life threatening infections in immunocompromised
patients including those with chronic renal diseases. Determination of enteroparasitosis prevalence in
patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) experiencing hemodialysis (HD) showed elevated rates of
infection, primarily by protozoa.
Objectives: To investigate the common intestinal parasites among patients with ESRD undergoing HD in
Benha University Hospital.
Subjects and Methods: This case-control research was performed on 57 patients subjected to HD
and 60 apparently healthy people as control group with no history of kidney disorders or other
immunosuppressive conditions in the control group. Age of participants ranged from 20-70 years in both
groups. Three consecutive fresh fecal samples from all participants were obtained after completion of the
questionnaire and examined macroscopically and microscopically to identify various stages of common
pathogenic intestinal parasites using iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stains to detect protozoa.
Results: The total rate of parasite infection was 68.4% and 48.3% in ESRD patients and control group,
respectively. The discrepancies between the two groups were statistically significant. E. histolytica/E.
dispar was the commonest parasite compared to other parasites in the two groups.
Conclusion: In ESRD patients, a high detection rate of intestinal parasites was reported which can lead to
severe complications in these patients being immunocompromissed individuals. Hence, stool examintion
should also be integrated into the standard clinical care of these patients.