Intestinal parasitic infections among Polish soldiers deployed to the Balkans (Kosovo) and the Middle East (Lebanon, Iraq)

Objective: Soldiers forming Polish Military Contingents (PMCs) serving outside of Poland are exposed to a number of risk factors, which increase the probability of contracting intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). This is primarily associated with poor sanitation in most areas of troops deployment and also with the ease of transmission via the oral-faecal route. The aim of the present article was to discuss the prevalence of IPIs in Polish soldiers deployed to Kosovo (the Balkans), Lebanon and Iraq (the Middle East). Methods: Parasitological exams were performed on stool samples collected from 2759 Polish soldiers who were serving in Iraq (n=766), Lebanon (n=970), and Kosovo (n=1023) between 2020 and 2023. Stool samples were transported to the Military Institute of Medicine – National Research Institute in Poland. Light microscopy examinations of the samples were performed using three different diagnostic methods (direct smear, decantation with distilled water, and Fülleborn’s flotation). Results: 16.2% of the examined soldiers were infected with at least one species of intestinal parasites (16.0% in Kosovo, 15.3% in Lebanon, 17.6% in Iraq). The examinations found only two cases of helminthic infections and three cases of infections with the pathogenic Giardia intestinalis protozoa. Most of the identified IPIs were potentially pathogenic Blastocystis spp. stramenopiles (12.0%). Conclusions: The results showed a low prevalence of IPIs among the study participants, despite harsh environmental conditions in all three areas of deployment (the Balkans and the Middle East). Low rates of IPIs suggest compliance with food and drinking water precautions and good hygiene practices of the soldiers involved in the study.