Prevalence of intestinal parasites in oncology patients

İlhan P. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in oncology patients. Yuzuncu Yil University Institute of Health Sciences, M. Sc. Thesis in Department of Parasitology, Van, 2019. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of intestinal parasites in patients treated at the Medical Oncology Clinic of Van Education and Research Hospital, and to evaluate some factors affecting this frequency. This study was carried out on 140 cancer patients (66 female and 74 male) who were treated at the Medical Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital between February 2012 and July 2012. In addition, a questionnaire including questions about diseases and living conditions was applied to the patients. Stool samples taken from the patients were brought to Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine, Parasitology Department Research and Application Laboratory in 30 minutes. Samples were first examined macroscopically. Subsequently, microscopic examination of intestinal parasites by native-Lugol method and Cryptosporidium spp., and Cyclospora cayetanensis stained with modified acid-fast method for evaluation. One or more intestinal parasites were found in 37.9% of 140 patients, 34.8% of the 66 women diagnosed with cancer and 40.5% of 74 men. The highest rate of Blastocystis hominis (17.9%) was found in the study, the lowest rate was Iodamoeba butschlii (1.4%) and C cayetanensis (1.4%). In addition, Cryptosporidium spp. (13,6%), Endolimax nana (5.7), Entamoeba coli (3,6%) and Giardia intestinalis (2.9%) were also found. In conclusion, in this study, 37.9% of intestinal parasites in cancer patients have shown that intestinal parasites are an important health problem especially in immunocompromised patients. According to these results, it was concluded that intestinal parasites should be taken into consideration in patients with immunocompromised patients such as oncology patients and routine stool examination should be performed routinely.