A survey on parasitic helminthes’ infections in restaurant staffs in Tabriz

Abstract

The aim of study was to identify intestinal parasitic helminthes among restaurant workers of Tabriz in 2009. For this reason, stool specimens of 270 restaurant workers were collected and examined for the presence of intestinal parasitic helminthes. Three types of techniques were used: direct examination, saline sedimentation and formol-ether concentration. Most of the samples were contaminated at least with one kind of parasite (Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Schistosoma mansoni ). Whereas, 3 cases were infected with two parasite (Hymenolepis nana, Ancylostoma duodenale). The prevalence rate was 4.8% for Hymenolepis nana, and 1.1% for Ascaris lumbricoides, meanwhile the prevalence rate was 1.8% for Ancylostoma duodenale. Additionally, the blood parasite Schistosoma mansoni was also detected in 2 cases. The infection with these parasites accompanies by abdominal disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and nausea and vomiting. These results indicated that, sanitary measurements were not satisfactory. Therefore, hygienic measures along with efficient pre-employment screening tests must be performed.

Keywords

• Parasitic helminthes
• Restaurant staff
• Tabriz