A Comparative Evaluation of Giardiasis Prevalence by Rutine Parasitical Assays and Antigen Detection in Elementary School Children in Delfan Town, Iran

Fllahi Sh1, Ghorvi MJ2, Qara-gozlou B3, Sepahvand A1, Mahouti F4 1. Instructor, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences 2. Associate Professor, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Para-medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences 3. Instructor, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Para-medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences 4. B.Sc of Nursing, Staff Member of Research and Technology Office, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences Abstract Background: With regard to the high prevalence of Giardiasis in elementary school children of most countries and the nececerity of rapid and sensitive detection of the disease in laboratories, this study was performed to compare routine parasitical assays and new techniques in antigen detection by Elisa for the detection of Giardia lamblia. Moreover, it was aimed to measure the prevalence of Giardiasis in Delfan town. Materials and methods: This study was an analytical-comparative study that was performed on 500 school children at elementary schools aged 6-12. After the selection of samples by systematic random sampling methods, the questionnaires were completed by every child and 3 fecal samples were collected from each child. The method of getting fecal samples from children was demonstrated for parents. All the samples were examined by wet-mount and Formalin-ether concentration assays. Then, the Elisa technique was performed to all samples and the findings were compared. Results: Out of 500 male and female subjects aged 6-12 in Delfan elementary schools, 97 samples examined by three laboratory techniques (Wetmount, Formalin-ether concentration, and Elisa) were found to be positive for Giardia lamblia. %19.4 of the subjects (68) were positive for Giardia lamblia, (%70.1) in Wetmount assay, 88 samples (%90.72) in Formalin-ether concentration test, and 95 samples (%97.93) in Elisa technique. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that Elisa technique in comparison to routine parasitical assays for Giardia detection was more sensitive and rapid. This technique does not need experts to be carried out and it shows organisems with minimum amounts of Giardial antigens in their feces. This technique can examine more samples in a shorter time. The findings demonstrated that the prevalence of Giardiasis in elementary school children in Delfan town is almost high and needs more hygiene education and instruction.