DETECTION OF INTESTINAL PARASITES IN ADULTS FROM TERNOPIL, UKRAINE: INSIGHTS FROM MICROSCOPY AND REAL-TIME PCR

Background. Intestinal parasitic infections remain an important public health concern in Ukraine, yet data on their prevalence and the performance of diagnostic methods in adults are limited. This study aimed to compare microscopy and real-time PCR for detecting intestinal parasites in stool samples collected from adults in the Ternopil region, and to investigate the presence of protozoa and helminths in the study population. Materials and methods. Stool samples from 48 adults were analyzed by microscopy and real-time PCR. Fresh samples were examined on-site in Ukraine by direct smear, while preserved samples (i.e. samples preserved in 96 % ethanol or on Whatman FTA Classic Cards) were analyzed in a laboratory in Poland using microscopy and real-time PCR. Results. Microscopy detected Blastocystis spp. in 8 fresh (16.7 %) and 4 ethanol-preserved (8.3 %) stool samples. Real-time PCR confirmed all microscopy-positive cases and detected additional infections, identifying Blastocystis spp. in 12 (25 %) and Dientamoeba fragilis in 13 (27.1 %) samples, with higher detection rates observed in FTA Card-preserved material. No helminths or other intestinal protozoa were detected in any of the collected samples. Conclusions. Blastocystis spp. and D. fragilis were the only intestinal protozoa detected among adults from Ternopil, Ukraine. The absence of helminths may reflect low infection intensity or the characteristics of the studied cohort. Molecular techniques proved useful for detecting fragile protozoa that may be missed by conventional microscopy.