[Monthly distribution of intestinal parasites detected in a part of western Turkey between May 2009-April 2010-results of acid fast and modified trichrome staining methods].

Objective: In this study, 5073 fecal specimens and cellophane tapes from patients were examined during the period of May 1, 2009-April 30, 2010 in the parasitology laboratory of the Ege University Medical School.

Methods: Sticky tape test and ethyl acetate sedimentation methods, saline, iodine, modified kinyoun's acid-fast, Trichrome, modified Trichrome and giemsa staining procedures have been applied to the stool samples.

Results: After the macroscopic and microscopic examinations, 1138 (22.43%) intestinal parasites were determined. Cryptosporidium spp. (n=381; 33.47%), Blastocystis hominis (n=368; 32.33%) and Cyclospora spp. (n=187; 16.43%) were the three most common parasites obtained during the examination. The most commonly determined helminth was Enterobius vermicularis (n=33; 2.89%).

Conclusion: Detection of Microsporidium spores in immununosuppressed patients showed also the importance of specific staining methods. Intestinal parasites are causing serious public health problems in our region.