INTESTINAL PARASITES AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI CO-INFECTION AMONG SYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN IN DAMIETTA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

ZAHRAN, NOHA F.; ELBEHERY, AHMED A. E.; ABD ELRAHIEM, BADAWY A.E.; MOSAED, HAYTHAM A. M.

doi:10.21608/jesp.2025.447382

INTESTINAL PARASITES AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI CO-INFECTION AMONG SYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN IN DAMIETTA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Authors

¹ Departments of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt

² Departments of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University. Cairo, Egypt

³ Departments of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Al-Azhar University, Assuit, Egypt

⁴ Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assuit, Egypt

10.21608/jesp.2025.447382

Abstract

Intestinal parasites and H. pylori co-infection has significant global public health impacts on
children with high prevalence in developing countries. This study evaluated the intestinal para
sites and H. pylori co-infections among symptomatic children in Damietta Governorate. A ques
tionnaire including socio-demographic, environmental and behavioral variables, and gastrointes
tinal manifestations was filled. Morning fecal samples were examined microscopically by direct
wet mount smear, formol-ether sedimentation concentration and stained with modified Kin
youn's Acid-Fast, and a rapid qualitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay to identify H. pylori
antigen in fecal samples. Total parasitic prevalence was 31.9%. G. lamblia 20.6% followed by
E. histolytica/dispar 16.8%, Blastocystis hominis. 11.4%. 34.1% of the children had H. pylori
and 13.1% had intestinal parasites and H. pylori co-infection. H. pylori and G. lamblia co-inf-
ections were the most common, followed by H. pylori and E. histolytica/dispar, and H. pylori
and B. hominis. Children aged 13-18 years and practicing hand wash before and after meal had
significantly 29% and 37% lower risk of having co-infection respectively. As well as, gastric re
flux and vomiting had significantly related with co-infection by 58% and 43% respectively. Fi
nally, abdominal distension was significantly related with co-infection by 72%. The results
showed that the co-infection most commonly protozoa, induced strong Th1 cell polarization,
synergize H. pylori, aggravates mucosal damage leading serious health consequences. Further
studies are imperative to select proper therapy, introduce potent eradication strategies, and to ap
praise underway control and preventive proceedings of co-infection.

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