Frequency of Intestinal Parasites in Individuals with Immunosuppression and Certain Chronic Diseases

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out to determine the frequency of intestinal parasites in immunosuppressed and some chronic diseases and to evaluate the effect of some living conditions on the distribution of parasites. METHODS: The study was conducted on 300 patients aged 18-80 years with dialysis, diabetes or cancer. The control group consisted of 100 immunocompetent individuals without any chronic disease. Stool samples taken from patients and control group were analyzed by native-Lugol, zinc sulfate flotation, formol ether precipitation and modified acid fast staining methods after macroscopic examination. RESULTS: Parasites were detected in 96 (32%) of 300 patients in the patient group and in three (3%) of 100 individuals in the control group. Eight parasite species, including five protozoa and three helminths, were identified in the study. 10.3% of the patient group had G. intestinalis, 8.7% B. hominis (5% abundant bol B. hominis), 8% E. coli, 6.7% Cryptosporidium spp., 6% A. lumbricoides, 3% Taenia spp., 1.7% C. cayetanensis and H. nana were detected in. In the study, parasite was detected mostly by formol ether precipitation method. In the study, a statistically significant relationship was found between the incidence of parasites and the use of animal husbandry and sewage system. (p<0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that parasitic agents are still an important health problem in immunosuppressed patients and that parasitic agents should definitely be considered by using multiplexing methods in this patient group

Malignancy and lymphoid proliferation in primary immune deficiencies; hard to define, hard to treat

Background Regarding the difficulties in recognition and management of the malignancies in primary immune deficiencies (PIDs), we aimed to present the types, risk factors, treatment options, and prognosis of the cancers in this specific group. Methods Seventeen patients with PID who developed malignancies or malignant-like diseases were evaluated for demographics, clinical features, treatment, toxicity, and prognosis. Results The median age of malignancy was 12.2 years (range, 2.2-26). Lymphoma was the most frequent malignancy (n = 7), followed by adenocarcinoma (n = 3), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 2), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1), Wilms tumor (n = 1), and acute myeloid leukemia (n = 1). Nonneoplastic lymphoproliferation mimicking lymphoma was observed in five patients. The total overall survival (OS) was 62.5% +/- 12.1%. The OS for lymphoma was 62.2% +/- 17.1% and found to be inferior to non-PID patients with lymphoma (P = 0.001). Conclusion In patients with PIDs, malignancy may occur and negatively affect the OS. The diagnosis can be challenging in the presence of nonneoplastic lymphoproliferative disease or bone marrow abnormalities. Awareness of susceptibility to malignant transformation and early diagnosis with multidisciplinary approach can save the patients' lives