DETECTION OF FECAL OCCULT BLOOD AMONG PATIENTS WITH INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Intestinal parasitic infections are common worldwide. This infection is closely related to poor socio economic status, hygiene, and overcrowding, contaminated food and water. The parasitic infection may remain asymptomatic and give rise to bleeding which may go unnoticed. The relationship between parasitic infections has adverse effect on the hemoglobin and thereby the nutritional status of the human host is well established. Total 300 stool samples attending tertiary care centre were screened for intestinal parasitic infection and fecal occult blood. To compare the positive results of intestinal parasitic infected individual with fecal occult blood. All the samples were screened for detecting the intestinal parasites. The fecal occult blood was detected by Benzidine test. In 300 patients there were 171 males, 129 female patients. 163 were children and 137 were adults. Our study showed 188 (63%) positivity for parasitic infection which was very high. These positive samples were also tested for occult blood which was fruitful in 154 cases. This occult blood detection gave more sensitive result, by yielding 51% positive response. This study showed a high positivity of intestinal parasitic infections with positive fecal occult blood. Therefore fecal occult blood detection is a must along with the screening for parasitic ova/ cyst in hospital, especially in asymptomatic patients. This paves the path for effective and efficient management of the infested and anemic patients.