The Investigation of Intestinal Parasites and VRE Carriage in Children Studying in Schools with Different Socio-Economic Levels in İstanbul, Turkey.

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide, and approximately 3.5 million people are infected with a variety of intestinal parasites. Recently, Istanbul has received migration from rural areas and Syria. The aim of the present study was to investigate intestinal parasites, intestinal flora, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) carriage in children studying in schools with different socio-economic levels (SELs). Materials and Methods: The fecal samples were collected from 570 students (ages 9-12 years) studying in schools with different SELs. In Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology Laboratory, the fecal samples were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Native-lugol and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques were used for intestinal parasites. In addition, in fecal samples, the fecal flora of the children was analyzed by conventional methods and was examined with respect to VRE carriage. Results: Intestinal parasites were found in 10.8% of the stool samples of students. Blastocystis hominis (5.2%) was the most common intestinal parasite. Giardia intestinalis (3.5%) was the second most prevalent parasite. A significant increase in the rates of the KES group (Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., and Serratia spp.) and enterococci was observed in children studying in schools with high SELs. VRE carriage was determined to be 0.8%. Conclusion: Despite the improved sanitation conditions in Istanbul, in our study, the rate of parasites was found to be high in socio-economic low level schools due to the recent migration from both Syria and the eastern regions of Turkey. In particular, it is necessary to make informed studies about sanitation in these schools.