Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder of uncertain etiology.
Several studies have proposed the possible role of intestinal parasites in the pathogenesis of IBS.
The study evaluated the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in patients with IBS in
comparison with healthy control group in Sohag. Case-control study was conducted on 100 patients
with IBS and 100 healthy controls. The IBS patients were selected based on the Rome IV
criteria. All participants filled a structured questionnaire that covered demographic and clinical
data. Stool samples were collected and examined by direct wet mounts, formalin ethyl acetate
concentration technique and modified Kinyoun's acid-fast stain and in vitro culture for Blastocystis
spp. IBS patients were 30% males and 70% females (32.82±12.89) years and controls were
35% male and 65% females (29.4±10.41) years. Prevalence of IPIs in IBS patients (66%) was
significantly higher than in controls (30%) with (P<0.0001) and the most common parasites in
IBS patients were Blastocystis hominis (46%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (20%) with significant
difference between groups (p<0.001, P<0.0001) respectively. The infection rate was significantly
associated with residence (P< 0.027), but neither associated with sex (P< 0.4) nor age (P< 0.123)
among IBS patients. The study data support a possible link between parasitic infections and IBS.