Haematological Variables of Patients with Amoebic Dysentery

Abstract

Differential diagnosis of protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is of great clinical and epidemiological importance in the case of acute dysentery by microscopy. The present study was carried out from October 2009 to February 2010. This study focused on relationship between some parasitic infestations, anemia and blood picture. A total of 424 fecal samples were collected from patients. The stool specimens were examined by light microscopy (Direct slide smear, Iodine wet mount) to distinguish E. histolytica. Also venous blood sample collected from each patient was tested for hemoglobin concentration (Hb%), packed cell volume (PCV) and leukocyte count (WBCs differential). Overall 16% ( 68/424) of the examined patients had parasitic infestation with E.histolytica . For each of E.histolytica infestation , ≥ 65% of the infested patients were anemic.The results showed that the higher infection and the lower hemoglobin rate (anemia) in age (under 10 years old).The male was predominant. There was no significant difference in occurrence of anemia between genders ( X² = 0.58, P < 0.05). This study has shown that some parasitic infestations, at least , contribute to anemic in Wasit province