Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Kenyans with dyspepsia

Abstract

Dyspepsia and intestinal worm infestation are both common clinical conditions in a developing country like Kenya and thus this study was designed to look at the correlation between the two in a referral gastroenterology clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital. One hundred and twenty five patients with dyspepsia had their stool, duodenal aspirate and duodenal biopsy analysed for evidence of intestinal parasites. Seven (5.6%) were found to have various types of intestinal parasites with giardia lamblia comprising 42.8% of worms isolated. 71.4% of patients with dyspepsia and worm infestation had their symptoms improved after deworming, but the low prevalence of intestinal parasite in dyspeptic patients makes routine deworming not cost effective. Stool examination had the best yield for intestinal parasites.