INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME IN SOHAG, EGYPT

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder of uncertain etiology.Several studies have proposed the possible role of intestinal parasites in the pathogenesis of IBS.The study evaluated the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in patients with IBS incomparison with healthy control group in Sohag. Case-control study was conducted on 100 patientswith IBS and 100 healthy controls. The IBS patients were selected based on the Rome IVcriteria. All participants filled a structured questionnaire that covered demographic and clinicaldata. Stool samples were collected and examined by direct wet mounts, formalin ethyl acetateconcentration technique and modified Kinyoun's acid-fast stain and in vitro culture for Blastocystisspp. IBS patients were 30% males and 70% females (32.82±12.89) years and controls were35% male and 65% females (29.4±10.41) years. Prevalence of IPIs in IBS patients (66%) wassignificantly higher than in controls (30%) with (P<0.0001) and the most common parasites inIBS patients were Blastocystis hominis (46%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (20%) with significantdifference between groups (p<0.001, P<0.0001) respectively. The infection rate was significantlyassociated with residence (P< 0.027), but neither associated with sex (P< 0.4) nor age (P< 0.123)among IBS patients. The study data support a possible link between parasitic infections and IBS.