Investigation on parasitic infections associated with appendicitis and the histological changes for the infected appendixes in Samarra City, Iraq

Protozoa and parasitic helminthes are the reasons for several disorders in the human digestive tract such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, appendicitis and intestinal ulcers. A total number of 80 appendixes specimens were collected from 36 males and 44 females. All the specimens were eradicated from appendicitis patients aged 4-50 years old who underwent a surgery. A total number 48 (60%) of 80 specimens was recorded for parasitic infections of infected appendixes. Four species of parasites were detected, the highest prevalence was Entamoeba histolytica 85.4% followed by Enterobius vermicularis 6.2%, Giardia lamblia 4.2% and Trichomonas hominis . Depending on age and gender a highest prevalence of parasitic infections of infected appendixes in the age group 11-20 years old (43.8%), while, the prevalence infection in males 56.3% was higher than females 43.7%. The present study reported different histological changes in infected appendixes according to different species of parasites when compared with control specimen.