Intestinal parasitic infections in patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A case-control study

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of certain infections; however, little is known about the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in them. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of intestinal parasitic infections in patients with DM in comparison with a healthy control group. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 118 patients with DM and 118 healthy people as control group from April to September 2014. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and hemoglobin A1c level were checked, and checklists including risk factors for parasitic infections were filed for all participants. Three stool samples and one scotch tape were obtained. Samples were examined by direct wet smear, formol-ether concentration, Kinyoun acid-fast staining, and modified trichrome stain. Data were analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression tests. Results: The rate of parasitic infection was significantly more in the patients (26.3%) than the controls (6.8%) (P < 0.050). The most detected infection was Blastocystis hominis (n = 14) followed by Endolimax nana (n = 10) and Giardia lamblia (n = 5). Infection with B. hominis was significantly more in the DM patients (9.3%) than in the controls (2.5%) (P < 0.050). DM [odds ratio (OR) = 3.6], female gender (OR = 3.0), and the presence of symptoms (OR = 9.900) were the risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections (P < 0.050).Conclusion: Patients with DM might be at an increased risk of infection with intestinal parasites specifically B. hominis as an opportunistic infection, and routine stool examination should be considered for them.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Intestinal parasitic infection, Blastocystis hominis