Epidemiological study of heterophyiasis among humans in an area of Egypt

Abstract

We aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis among inhabitants of El-Meaddeya, Egypt. A cross-sectional stool examination survey was performed on 430 randomly chosen households, comprising 2219 individuals. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 84.7%. Ascariosis was the most common (67.6%), followed by trichuriosis (49.7%) and heterophyiasis (33.8%). The prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis were most common in people 15-45 years, and greater in females than males. The highest intensity of infection was detected among fishermen. Intrafamilial aggregation of cases of heterophyiasis was identified.