LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Parasitic infections emerge as a significant health problem, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. Epidemiological data play an important role in taking effective measures against parasitic diseases. METHODS Clinical samples (stool, blood, bone marrow and tissue samples, etc.) that were sent to Hacettepe University Hospitals Parasitology Laboratory between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS The positivity rates of the parasites detected in this study are as follows; Blastocystis sp. (71.6%), Dientamoeba fragilis (13.3%), Giardia lamblia (4.7%), Echinococcus spp. (1.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.8%) and Taenia spp. (0.3%). In this study, four of the patients were found to be positive for Leishmania spp. and two patients for Plasmodium falciparum and four patients for Plasmodium spp. E. histolytica/E. dispar cysts and/or trophozoites examined by Trichrome staining in our study were not detected within six years. CONCLUSION According to this data and in the light of the results obtained from different regions of our country, it will be possible to properly direct the necessary strategies for the diagnosis, treatment of parasitic infections and the implementation of preventive measures.