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Background: Cyclospora cayetanensis is a food-borne coccidian parasite that causes cyclosporiasis inhumans and possibly in other animals. It presents with watery diarrhea and other related symptoms.Since detection of oocysts may be difficult with histological stains, a negative result should not exclude thepossibility of C. cayetanensis. PCR methods can achieve more sensitive detection of the parasite.Objective: The presence of C. cayetanensis was investigated in an immunosuppressed patient group,diarrhea patient group, and in both immunosuppressed and diarrhea patient group using the modifiedacid-fast staining and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) methods.Subjects and Methods: Included in the study were 80 patients with immune suppression, 50 patientswith diarrhea, and 70 patients with both immune suppression and diarrhea. The clinical findings of thesepatients were recorded, stool samples were collected and examined using both the modified acid-fast (AF)staining and nPCR methods.Results: The overall detection rate of C. cayetanensis was 8% and 12% using the modified AF and nPCR,respectively. C. cayetanensis was detected in 5% of immunosuppressed patients, 12%, in patients withdiarrhea and 20% in patients with both immune suppression and diarrhea. Statistically significantrelationships were identified between the frequency of C. cayetanensis and abdominal pain (P

A total of 22 subjects were included in the study. Fourteen of the subjects were female and eight were male, with ages ranging between 7-65 years. Stool specimens were examined using wet mount and modified acid-fast staining methods, which revealed the presence of oocysts in the samples. The 18S rRNA ITS-1 Ccits37f-GCTTGCTATGTTTTAGCATGTGG and Ccits501r-GCACAATGAATGCACACACA gene regions were used as primers. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized on a UV transilluminator. For the SSCP, the PCR products were denatured with formamide, run for 16 h in 6% (49:1) polyacrylamide gel, and then imaged with silver staining.SSCP assay was performed given that the DNA strands demonstrated different folds; the DNA strands contain different nucleotides based on the PCR-SSCP results for the Cyclospora strains collected in 4 provinces. Moreover, 3 different band profiles were observed in the investigated samples. A slight mutation difference was observed among the strains collected.Further comprehensive studies involving more

Introduction and objective Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian protozoan species, has been recently found to cause diarrhea in all age groups in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals in most regions of the world. This study aimed to conduct the molecular detection of C. cayetanensis and to determine the genetic diversity of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence of C. cayetanensis isolated from individuals living in different provinces in Turkey by using PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Material and methods A total of 22 subjects were included in the study. Fourteen of the subjects were female and eight were male, with ages ranging between 7-65 years. Stool specimens were examined using wet mount and modified acid-fast staining methods, which revealed the presence of oocysts in the samples. The 18S rRNA ITS-1 Ccits37f-GCTTGCTATGTTTTAGCATGTGG and Ccits501r-GCACAATGAATGCACACACA gene regions were used as primers. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized on a UV transilluminator. For the SSCP, the PCR products were denatured with formamide, run for 16 h in 6% (49:1) polyacrylamide gel, and then imaged with silver staining. Results SSCP assay was performed given that the DNA strands demonstrated different folds; the DNA strands contain different nucleotides based on the PCR-SSCP results for the Cyclospora strains collected in 4 provinces. Moreover, 3 different band profiles were observed in the investigated samples. A slight mutation difference was observed among the strains collected. Conclusions Further comprehensive studies involving more C. cayetanensis-positive specimens and utilizing different mutation screening methods are warranted to demonstrate mutation differences in Cyclopora strains in Turkey.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of chronic diseases on the etiopathogenesis of demodicosis through the determination of Demodex sp. positivity in the face and eyelashes of the people with the chronic disease. Methods: This study is conducted on the patients who were referred to the Laboratory of Parasitology from the Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Medicine, Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology. The samples were taken from the patients with standard skin surface biopsy. Furthermore, eyelashes of the patients were examined for Demodex sp. Result: When the patient groups are considered, demodicosis was found in the ratio of 18.5% of the patients with diabetes mellitus (p 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that, in such patients the presence of this parasite should be taken into consideration in case of dermatoses occurring on the face, and these patients could be under the risk of occurring blepharitis as well.

The aim of the present study was to present a case with secondary hydatid cysts in both uterus and colon. The patient was a 71-year-old female living in Hakkari, Turkey. She was admitted to the Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine Medical Center with complaints of chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, and swelling in the abdomen. First, the sagittal T2 weighted magnetic rezonance imaging (MR) showed a type-3 cyst hydatid with daughter vesicles located at the posterior of uterus. Later, MR revealed a type-2 cystic lesion with detached membrane adhered to the anterior wall of colon and it was reported to be associated with abdomen. When the previous liver surgery history of the patient was kept in mind, the new finding was suggestive of a secondary cystic hydatid . In conclusion, it is possible to diagnose secondary cystic echinococcosis in patients with a history of primary cyst surgery in liver or any other organ by combining the symptoms and imaging findings.Bu çalışmanın amacı hem uterus hem de kolon yerleşimli bir sekonder hidatik kist olgusu sunmaktır. Hasta Hakkari’de yaşayan 71 yaşında bir kadındı. Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Dursun Odabaş Tıp Merkezi’ne kronik karın - pelvik bölge ağrısı ve karın şişliği şikayeti ile başvurdu. İlk olarak, sagittal T2 ağırlıklı manyetik rezonans (MR) görüntülerinde, uterus posteriorunda kız veziküllerin bulunduğu tip-3 kist hidatik saptandı. Daha sonraki MR’de, kolonun ön duvarına yapışmış ve karın ile ilişkili olduğu bildirilen ayrık membranlı tip-2 kistik bir lezyon ortaya çıkarıldı. Hastanın daha önce karaciğer cerrahisi öyküsü olması nedeniyle, olgu sekonder kistik hidatik olarak kabul edildi. Sonuç olarak, karaciğerde veya başka bir organda primer kist cerrahi öyküsü olan hastalarda semptomları ve görüntüleme bulgularını birleştirerek sekonder kistik ekinokokkozis tanısı koymak mümkündür.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. in suspected stool samples submitted to our laboratory. METHODS In this retrospective study, stool samples of 998 patients with suspected amebiasis were sent from various clinics and services to our laboratory and were investigated by native-Lugol and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) [for Entamoeba spp. antigen (Ridascreen® Entamoeba)] between January 2010 and December 2014. RESULTS By the end of the study, it was shown that 8.5% (85) of 997 patients, 7.45% (39) of males and 9.8% (46) of females whom amoeba antigen inspected in their stool samples, were positive. No parasite was identified by the saline-Lugol method. The highest antigen positivity was detected in the 25-44-year-old group with 11% positivity, and a high positivity of 23.2% was seen in March. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that amebiasis is still a major health concern for our region. Although no parasite was detected during microscopic examinations, the detection of antigen positivity by ELISA reveals that microscopic examinations require experience and utilizing only microscopic examinations may lead to overlooks. To obtain more reliable results in diagnosis, ELISA analyses that use E. histolytica-specific monoclonal antibodies should be applied in addition to microscopic methods.

PubMed ID: 31204458 Objective: The aim of present study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients, who were referred to Parasitology Laboratory in Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Medicine during an 11-year period. Methods: Stool samples of 69633 individuals admitted to the outpatient clinics in the hospital were initially evaluated with native-Lugol, and then by flotation, sedimentation, trichrome staining, modified acid-fast staining and ELISA methods. Results: Twenty-four parasite species were identified in parasite-positive patients. At least one or more parasite species were found in 34.1% of all patients. The most commonly observed parasite was Blastocystis hominis (26.5%). Among pathogen parasites, Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) was detected in 9.3%, Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) was detected in 2.5%, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar in 0.8%, Cystoisospora belli in 0.004%, Fasciola hepatica in 0.04%, Dicrocoelium dendriticum in 0.001%, Strongyloides stercoralis in 0.001% and hookworm in 0.001% of the patients. Conclusion: It was determined that, pathogen parasites such as G. intestinalis and A. lumbricoides were still observed at high rates in Van province, especially in children, and the problem of parasitosis is still continuing, although the prevalence of parasites has declined when compared to the previous years.

Objective: The aim of this study is to present the prevalence of intestinal and hepatic parasites determined in Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory. Methods: The study was performed in 2008, and a total of 5985 stool samples were examined. Stool samples were examined with native-Lugol, sedimentation, flotation, trichrome staining and modified acid-fast staining methods. The stool samples of patient suspected to have Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar infection were stained by trichrome staining method and evaluated by ELISA method for the antigen. ELISA method was used to confirm the results of Fasciola hepatica positive patients in stool examination. Results: In this study intestinal parasites were identified in 29.6% out of the 5985 people. In the study Giardia intestinalis (9.4%), plenty Blastocystis hominis (5.5%), Hymenolepis nana (1.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.2%; in the stool examination), F.hepatica (0.1%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (0.1%), E.histolytica/E.dispar (0.06%), Taenia saginata (0.05%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.05%), Trichuris trichiura (0.03%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.02%), pathogenic parasites, were detected. Conclusion: In the study it is also understood that pathogenic intestinal parasites have still been reported at high rates and the problem of parasitosis continues in Van Province.

Background/aim: This study included patients who had digestive system complaints between August 2015 and October 2015. The research was designed to compare conventional microscopy with an antigen detection ELISA kit and the TaqMan-based real-time PCR (RT-PCR) technique for detection of Giardia intestinalis in human stool specimens. Materials and methods: Samples were concentrated by formalin-ether sedimentation technique and microscopic examinations were carried out on wet mount slides. A commercially available ELISA kit (Giardia CELISA, Cellabs, Brookvale, Australia) was used for immunoassay. DNA was extracted from fecal samples of about 200 mg using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) and the LightCycler Nano system (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) was used for the TaqMan-based RT-PCR assay. Results: A total of 94 stool samples, 38 of them diagnosed positive (40.4%) and 56 of them diagnosed negative by microscopy, were selected for evaluation by antigen detection and molecular assays. The prevalence of G. intestinalis infection was found as 46.8% (n: 44) and 79.8% (n: 75) by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. RT-PCR revealed by far the highest positivity rate compared to the other two methods. The difference between these methods was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). In comparison to PCR, the sensitivity and specificity of microscopy and ELISA were 50.7% and 100% and 53.3% and 79%, respectively. Conclusion: RT-PCR seems to be much more sensitive and beneficial for rapid and accurate diagnosis of G. intestinalis in human stools.

Background: Cryptosporidiosis has been reported in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients from over 40 countries in six continents. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in immunocompromised patients by methods of modified acid fast staining, ELISA and Cassette Kit, and to also compare the three methods. Methods: The patients in different age groups admitted to Bitlis state hospital between June 23, 2011 and January 13, 2015 were enrolled. The study group was composed of 300 immunocompromised volunteer patients and the control group of 100 volunteers with normal immune system. In the study group, patients with hemodialysis, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and cancer were enrolled. Formalin-ethyl acetate, modified acid fast staining and native-lugol were used for all stool samples; they were also investigated for Cryptosporidium antigens by the ELISA and Cassette Kit. Results: The highest prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium spp. is found to be 11.3%, which is obtained by ELISA and the lowest (0.7%) by Cassette Kit in the study group. All patients with cryptosporidiosis had diarrhea. The highest prevalence rate (20%) was observed in patients with diabetes insipidus and the second highest in patients with chronic renal failure (11.5%) by ELISA. The sensitivities and specificities of Cassette Kit and modified acid fast staining were 5.9%, 100%; and 50%, 100%, respectively. Conclusions: It is concluded that Cryptosporidium spp. should be considered in immunocompromised diarrheal patients and ELISA must be chosen for detection of this parasite. Modified acid fast staining and Cassette Kit techniques could be performed if ELISA is not available. The single use of the Cassette Kit will be inadequate for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis.

The aim of this study is to report seven Cyclospora cayetanensis (C.cayetanensis) cases determined in Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory, Van province, Turkey. In the study native-Lugol, formalin-ethyl acetate and modified acid-fast staining methods were performed to stool samples of the patients sent from outpatient clinics of the hospital. All of the patients infected with C. cayetanensis were older than 15 years. In our cases there were not a history of international travel. Only one of our seven cases was immunosuppressed. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (160/800 mg) was administered for the treatment of the patient. In conclusion, it was understood that the physicians should consider cyclosporiosis in the patients with diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Objective This study was carried out to detect the prevalence and evaluate risk factors of Pediculus capitis infestation in four primary schools in Igdir in April and May, 2010. Methods The study was performed on 2222 students (6-15 years old), 1116 female and 1106 male. The hair of the students, especially from the neck and back of the head, were examined for egg, nymph and imago of P. capitis. The samples taken from the students were brought to the Medical Laboratory of Health Services Vocational School of Igdir University for examination. Each student answered a questionnaire containing some questions related to the infestation. Results The imago, nymph or eggs of the parasite were encountered in 22.9% of females and in 3.2% of males. Prevalence of infestation in all students was 13.1%. Conclusion It was determined that there was a significant relation between head louse infestation and gender, socioeconomic status of the schools, hair length, number of people living in the home and the number of rooms in the house. In most comparisons, relations between prevalence of pediculosis capitis and education level, income level and job of the children's father and education level of the children's mother were found significant at different levels.

OBJECTIVE This study was performed in order to contribute the data on the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Turkey and to reveal this parasitosis problem in Van province. METHODS Blood samples of 2642 patients (1214 men, 1428 women; 506 of them 0-13 age, 2136 of them 14 and over age group), which were sent with suspected CE to Parasitology Laboratory from various policlinics of Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty, between the dates of 01.09.2005 and 01.09.2013, were evaluated for CE by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (R-Biopharm, Germany; IgG) method. RESULTS 801 (30.3%) of examined blood samples of these patients were found positive for this parasitosis. Seropositivity was found 31.9% of men, 29% of women; 33.4% of 0-13 age group, 29.6% of 14 and over age group in the study. Cysts, which were obtained from operated seropositive patients, were confirmed that unilocular cysts as pathological. CONCLUSION As a result, it was seen that CE is continued to be a major public health problem in Van province and it was appear that comprehensive protection and control programs should be carry out to struggle this disease.

Objectives: To determine the associated clinical symptoms and prevalence of Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) . Methods: Stool samples of 50,185 patients (26,784 males and 23,401 females) who were received at the Parasitology Laboratory of Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey in the last 5 years were inspected microscopically using saline and iodine-stained wet-mount preparations. Age, gender, and symptoms of patients were recorded and their significance was evaluated. Results: The prevalence of B. hominis in the total sample was 0.54% (275/50185). Out of 275 infected patients, 143 (52%) were males, and 132 (48%) were female ( χ 2 =0.884; p =0.348). The distribution of B. hominis infection was high in 7-13 aged children (34.9%) ( χ 2 =306.8; p =0.001). Blastocystis was higher among symptomatic patients (70.2%) compared with asymptomatic patients (29.8%) ( χ 2 =107.13; p =0.001). The most frequent clinical symptoms associated with the disease were abdominal pain (27.3%) and diarrhea (19.6%) followed by anorexia, fever, saliva, anal itching, and nausea. Conclusion: Blastocystis hominis is considered a causative agent of human disease in patients with recurrent symptoms. Due to the significant risk for zoonotic transmission, molecular techniques must be used to determine the route and source of infection. Saudi Med J 2015; Vol. 36 (9): 1118-1121 doi: 10.15537/smj.2015.9.12444

OBJECTIVE This study was carried out to contribute to the information of the spread of disease in our country by determining the distribution of cystic echinococcosis (CE) on people in our region and to demonstrate the importance of it for our region. METHODS In this study, the blood serum samples of a total of 558 patients, which were sent to the Parasitology Laboratory from several outpatient clinics of the Yuzuncu Yil University Research and Training Hospital between 01.09.1998-01.09.2005, were evaluated in terms of CE by using Indirect Hemaglutination Test (IHA) or ELISA methods. RESULTS 25.6% of a total of 558 cystic echinococcosis suspected patients were found to be seropositive by IHA or ELISA methods and it was confirmed that the cysts obtained as a result of the positive patients' surgery were unilocular cysts. In our study, seropositivity was found in 25.7% of 303 female patients, 25.5% of 255 male patients; 33.3% of 48 pediatric 8-15 age group patients and 24.9% of 510 adult patients over the age of 15 years. CONCLUSION Cystic echinococcosis continues to be a major public health problem in the Van province. Large-scale prevention and control programs should be implemented against this disease.

Objective: The aim of this study is to present the prevalence of intestinal and hepatic parasites determined in Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory. Methods: The study was performed in 2008, and a total of 5985 stool samples were examined. Stool samples were examined with native-Lugol, sedimentation, flotation, trichrome staining and modified acid-fast staining methods. The stool samples of patient suspected to have Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar infection were stained by trichrome staining method and evaluated by ELISA method for the antigen. ELISA method was used to confirm the results of Fasciola hepatica positive patients in stool examination. Results: In this study intestinal parasites were identified in 29.6% out of the 5985 people. In the study Giardia intestinalis (9.4%), plenty Blastocystis hominis (5.5%), Hymenolepis nana (1.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.2%; in the stool examination), F.hepatica (0.1%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (0.1%), E.histolytica/E.dispar (0.06%), Taenia saginata (0.05%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.05%), Trichuris trichiura (0.03%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.02%), pathogenic parasites, were detected.Conclusion: In the study it is also understood that pathogenic intestinal parasites have still been reported at high rates and the problem of parasitosis continues in Van Province, Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Parazitoloji Laboratuarına başvuran hastalarda belirlenen bağırsak ve karaciğer parazitlerinin sıklığını ortaya koymaktır.Yöntemler: Çalışma 2008 yılında yapılmış ve toplam 5985 dışkı örneği incelenmiştir. Dışkı örnekleri nativ-Lugol, sedimantasyon, flatasyon, trikrom boyama ve modifiye asit-fast boyama metotları ile değerlendirilmiştir. Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar enfeksiyonu saptanan şüpheli hastaların dışkı örnekleri trikrom boyama metodu ile boyanmış, antijen yönünden ELISA ile de değerlendirilmiştir. ELISA metodu dışkı örnekleri Fasciola hepatica pozitif olan hastaların sonuçlarını doğrulamak için de kullanılmıştır.Bulgular: Bu çalışmada 5985 kişinin %29,6’sında intestinal parazitler belirlenmiştir. Çalışmada patojen parazitlerden Giardia intestinalis(%9,4), bol Blastocystis hominis (%5,5), Hymenolepis nana (%1,7), Ascaris lumbricoides (%1,2), Enterobius vermicularis (%0,2; dışkı bakısında), F.hepatica (%0,1), Cyclospora cayetanensis (%0,1), E.histolytica/E.dispar (%0,06), Taenia saginata (%0,05), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (%0,05), Trichuris trichiura (%0,03) ve Cryptosporidium spp. (%0,02) belirlenmiştir.Sonuç: Çalışmamızda yöremizde patojen intestinal parazitlerin hala düşük olamayan oranlarda görüldüğü ve parazitoz sorununun devam ettiği anlaşılmıştır.Anahtar kelimeler: İntestinal ve hepatik parazitler, prevalans, Van, Türkiye

This study was conducted to report the digestive system infestation caused by the larvae of Coleoptera in a female pediatric patient. She was admitted to our hospital with the complaints of emergence of insect larvae from her vomit and feces, abdominal pain, inguinal pain, lack of appetite, hair loss, excessive cleaning behavior, extreme irritability, and distractibility. The larvae observed typically had the morphology of the larvae of insects related to the Cantharidae family in the Coleoptera order. For treatment, a single dose of albendazole (400 mg) was used. Consequently, in the present case, it was seen that the larvae of Coleoptera incidentally taken orally could continue to live for a period in the digestive tract of people, without losing vitality, and the larvae caused a variety of symptoms due to both their toxic agents and the possible irritation they caused.

Objective:The aim ofthis study is to evaluatethe incidenceofamebiasisin our region, the frequency of amebiasis in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission and its relationship withinflammation markers. Methods: Amoeba adhezinantigeninfaeceswas measured in 84 patients withulcerative colitisin remissionandin 100 patients who admitted to hospital withnon-gastrointestinal symptoms.Results: The prevalence ofamoeba was 9%in the control group whereas 22.6% in ulcerative colitispatients. Seropozitivity of fecal adezin test of ulcerative colitis patients was higher than control group. There was no statistically significant correlation between presence of colonic amebiasis and inflammatory markers. Conclusion: As a result, amoebais monitoredmore frequentlyin remissionin ulcerative colitis patientsthanhealthy subjects, but there was no relationshipbetweenmarkers ofinflammation. Presence of colonic amebiasis may be important in patients with severe ulcerative colitis who also need immunsupressive treatment

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex sp. in patients referred fom the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic to the Parasitology Laboratory, Dursun Odabas Medical Center of the Yuzuncu Yil University. Methods The study was conducted between May 2012-May 2013. The samples were taken from 67 patients using the standard skin surface biopsy method. Results Demodex sp. mites were identified in 47.4% of 38 women, and in 48.3% of 29 male patients. These mites were detected in 15.8% of 19 patients who were 35 years old and younger, and in 60.4% of 48 patients who were 36 years old and older. Overall, 47.8% (32 patients) of 67 patients were found positive for demodicosis. It was determined that 53.1% of Demodex sp. positive patients had eritemato telangiectatic rosacea, 21.9% had papulo-pustular type rosacea, 18.8% had papules, 3.1% had erythematous pustules, and 3.1% had erythematous squamous plaques. There was a statistically significant difference between the Demodex sp. positivity and age groups (p=0.001). Conclusion It was concluded that dermatologists should also take into consideration the possible presence of Demodex sp. mites in patients with skin symptoms such as erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules, and apply the appropriate treatment for these parasites.

The reason for the presentation of this case is that Linguatula serrata, a parasite rarely encountered in humans, was found in a patient in Van province. The patient, who was 26 years old, lived in Ercis a town in Van province, East Turkey. She was admitted to the Outpatient Clinic of Infectious Diseases of Ercis Government Hospital with a complaint of coughing a few worms about 4 cm long from the oral cavity, and also sore throat, partial voice loss and vomiting. The polyclinic doctor suspected that the worm was a parasite but he could not make a diagnosis, and the patient was referred to Health Research and Training Hospital, Yuzuncu Yil University. The parasite was examined in the Parasitology Laboratory and it was observed that this parasite was the nymph of L. serrata whose mouth was surrounded with four hooks and had approximately 90 body segments with small hooks. No medical treatment was given to the patient except that gargling with saline solution was recommended. As a result, we think that physicians should consider L. serrata infestation in patients applying to health foundations with complaints such as pharyngitis accompanied by pharyngeal pain, coughing, sneezing and vomiting.

This study was carried out in order to to detect the prevalence of Pediculus capitis in the Erciş district of Van between May and June, 2007. The study was performed on sixth, seventh and eighth grade schoolchildren between 12 and 15 years old who studied at the Osmangazi Primary School. All of the hair, especially on the neck and the back of the head was examined for the egg, nymph and imago stages of the parasite in 622 schoolchildren (196 females and 426 males) and samples were collected from possibly infected schoolchildren. The questionnaire forms were given to all schoolchildren. The samples taken from schoolchildren were brought to the Parasitology Laboratory of the Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. Eggs of the parasite were found in 9.5% of all schoolchildren, in 23% of females and 3.3% of males. A statistically significant relationship was found between the prevalence of P. capitis and gender, educational status of students' mothers (in some groups), the frequency of bathing (p0.01), and the fathers' profession (in some groups; p0.05). As a result, relation was observed between head lice and socioeconomic status, hygiene rules, crowded families and classrooms at schools.

Human dicrocoeliosis is reported sporadically in various parts of the world. We report a case in a 21-year-old male, who had right upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic relapsing watery diarrhea three to four times daily for four weeks. The patient had abdominal tenderness to palpation in the right upper quadrant. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum immunoglobulin E levels were slightly elevated; all other biochemical and hematological findings were in their normal ranges. The duodenal biopsy samples were normal and an abdominal ultrasonography showed no biliary or hepatic abnormality. Stool microscopy revealed numerous eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. As pseudoparasitosis can result from eating raw, infected animal liver, the patient was given a liver-free diet for three days, to rule out that possibility. Subsequent stool examinations showed eggs in each of the samples indicating that the infection was genuine. The patient was treated with triclabendazole 10 mg/kg in a single dose. Four weeks later, no parasite eggs were detected in the microscopic examination of the stool samples. The patient got better gradually and the symptoms disappeared. Physicians should keep in mind parasitic diseases such as the rarely encountered dicrocoeliosis.

This study was performed in order to determine the distribution of intestinal parasites among students of Süphan Primary School in Van in 2005. In the study, stool specimens were taken from 395 students (166 girls and 229 boys) between 7-15 years of age. The specimens were examined by native-Lugol, flotation and trichrome staining methods in the parasitology laboratory of Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. One or more parasite species were detected in 28.9 % of the children. Parasitosis was detected in 28.3% of the girls and in 29.3% of the boys. Giardia intestinalis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba coli, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Iodamoeba butschlii, Endolimax nana were detected at the rates of 15.4%, 6.6%, 6.3%, 3.3%, 1.5%, 1.3%, 0.5%, 0.3%, 0.3% and 0.3%, respectively. In conclusion, it was observed that the socioeconomic status has an important impact on the frequency of intestinal parasites among primary school students, and the parasitosis is still a problem in the province.

This study was carried out on school children in primary schools in the Van province in order to investigate the distribution of intestinal parasitoses. The study was conducted in 7-15 year-old primary schoolchildren during the years from 2003-2005. Stool specimens were taken from 2975 school children; of these, 1289 were female and 1686, male. The specimens were examined by native-Lugol, flotation and trichrome staining methods in the parasitology laboratory of the Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. One or more parasite species were detected in 1916 (64.4%) stool specimens of 2975 children. Parasitosis was detected in 65.7% of females and in 63.4% of males. Blastocystis hominis, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba butschlii, Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Enteromonas hominis, Retortamonas intestinalis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Trichomonas hominis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis and Fasciola hepatica were detected in 27.4%, 16.4%, 14.9%, 3.9%, 2.9%, 1.8%, 1.1%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.2%, 7.5%, 5.3%, 0.7%, 0.6% and 0.03% of the specimens, respectively. In conclusion, there are still high rates of intestinal parasitoses in school children in this region because care is not taken in hygiene and the socioeconomic status is low in the Van province.

This study was performed in the Van Municipality Slaughterhouse from January to December 2001. Abomasums and small intestines from a total of 104 sheep were transported to the parasitology laboratory of the Veterinary Faculty of Yüzüncü Yil University for parasitological examination. The abomasums and small intestines of the animals were opened with appropriate technique in the laboratory, and male nematodes were collected from the contents of the abomasums and small intestines using a sampling method, and then these parasites were identified. Gastrointestinal nematodes were encountered in 87.5% out of 104 sheep. Marshallagia marshalli (85%), Teladorsagia circumcincta (75%), Nematodirus oiratianus (75%), N. spathiger (65%), Haemonchus contortus (40%), Tel. occidentalis (36%), Trichostrongylus axei (33%), N. abnormalis (19%) and T. probolurus (19%), Tel. davtiani (15%), Tel. trifurcate (10%), and Camelostrongylus mentulatus (1%) were detected. Among the parasites, the species encountered most often were Tel. circumcincta (45.23%) in abomasums and N.oiratianus (65.73%) in small intestines. The highest rate of parasites in both abomasums and small intestines occurred in August, September and October. It was found that the young animals have a parasite density higher than the adults and the females have parasite density higher than the males.

In this study, a patient who was hospitalized with a severe anemia in the Internal Medicine Clinic of the Health Research and Application Hospital of Yüzüncü Yil University for one week is presented. The patient had fatigue, paleness and dizziness for one month and approximately 12 kg weight lost for four mounts previous to admission.. Severe iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed in the patient by laboratory analyses. Because there were no hematologic factors associated with severe anemia, the stool examination was also performed. In the Parasitology Laboratory, stool microscopy of the patient revealed numerous ova of hookworm. General condition of the patient well improved with anti-parasitic and anti-anemia treatment. It was concluded that patients with iron deficiency anemia diagnosed in health centers should be also examined for the intestinal parasitic diseases encountered rarely, and physicians should consider non-endemic parasitic diseases in their provinces.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem especially in animal-raising regions of the world. In the present study, CE cases were determined during 2001-2005 by investigating different hospital and health directorship documents and Health Ministry documents, retrospectively. Our results show that there were 2534 (13.13%) cases in the Marmara region; 2114 (16.94%), in the Aegean region; 2578 (16.09%), Mediterranean region; 5404 (38.57%), in the Middle Anatolian region; 428 (5.70%), in the Black Sea region; 844 (6.80%), in the eastern Anatolian region; and 887 (2.75%), in the southeastern Anatolian region making a total of 14,789 CE cases. Finally, it has been determined that the patients were hospitalized for a total of 149,464 days.

Stool and cellophane tape specimens were taken for parasitological examination from 739 people who work in food sector and applied to the public health lab of the Van Health Administration for porter examination. Parasites were determined at 131 people (17.71%) of 739 worker whom samples were investigated. Ninety-five people had one, 30 people had two, 5 people had three and one person had four parasite species. Parasites determined in the study were 19.08% helminthes and 80.91% protozoon. In this study, 1.21% Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.81% Enterobius vermicularis, 0.67% Hymenolepis nana, 0.40% Trichuris trichiura, 0.27% Taenia saginata, 4.87% Blastocystis hominis, 3.24% Entamoeba coli, 2.84% Giardia intestinalis, 2.02% Iodamoeba bütschlii, 0.67% Endolimax nana, 0.27% Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, 0.27% Chilomastix mesnili, 0.13% Entamoeba hartmanni were found.