Investigation of the presence of giardia intestinalis, cryptosporidium spp., Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in hemodialysis, diabetes and oncology patients and immunosuppressed patients

This study was carried out between 01.06.2022 and 01.08.2023 in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. In this study, the relationship between Cryptosporidium spp, G. intestinalis, E. intestinalis and E. bieneusi and clinical and laboratory findings of hemodialysis, oncology, diabetes and other immunosuppressed patients and parasitic agents were investigated. In the study, stool samples of a total of 200 individuals, including 35 hemodialysis, 37 oncology, 23 diabetes and 55 other immunosuppressed patients and 50 individuals from the control group, were examined. Stool samples were first analyzed microscopically and then by molecular methods. As a result of the Nativ-Lugol method, G. intestinalis was detected in 14 (9.3%) of the patients and 1 (2%) of the control group. With the nested PCR method, G. intestinalis was detected in a total of 16 patients (10.6%) with two more positivity in addition to 14 patients from the patient group. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 14 patients (9.3%) by modified acid fast method and in 18 patients (12%) by Nested PCR method. In the control group (n=50), this parasite was not detected both microscopically and by Nested PCR. Microsporidia were found in 65 (32.5%) of the stool samples of 200 individuals examined by modified trichrome staining method. E. intestinalis was detected in 30 (15%), E. bieneusi in 20 (10%) and other Microsporidia species in 16 (8%) of the stool samples of 200 individuals by Real Time PCR. In conclusion, G. intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp., E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis are more common in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, oncology patients and immunocompromised patients.