THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES IN CENTRAL SLOVAKIA FROM THE YEAR 2000 – RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: The main group of helminthic infections in Europe includes soil-transmitted helminthiases as well as alimentary helminthiases and cestodes. Typical finds of coprological analyses in our climatic conditions include intestinal nematodes, tapeworms and intestinal protozoa. \nObjectives: The primary objective of our study was to analyse changes in the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Slovakia. \nMethods: The authors studied the prevalence of intestinal parasites in coprological samples taken from patients in Central Slovakia. Stool samples were prepared and analysed using an optical microscope with 160 – 400 x magnification. \nResults: The most prevalent types of intestinal protozoa were Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba coli. The most widespread species of helminths was Enterobius vermicularis. Since 2006, the prevalence of intestinal parasites has rapidly dropped in comparison to the 90s (0.44 % versus 1.32 % of positive findings, respectively). \nConclusion: The results show values rapidly decreasing towards zero for the prevalence of geohelminths and a significant decrease in intestinal protozoa. The authors propose possible epidemiological reasons for this sharp decrease, which points to the potential near elimination of intestinal parasites as a result of improvement in water management, waste management, personal hygiene, maintenance of public spaces as sandpits and parks.