Parasitic Infections among Restaurant Workers in Tabriz (East-Azerbaijan Province) Iran

To identify intestinal parasites among restaurant workers in Tabriz (East Azerbaijan province), Iran in 2009. Stool specimens were collected and examined from total of 300 restaurants workers at Veterinary Faculty, Islamic Azad University of Tabriz branch. Three types of techniques were used: direct examination, saline sedimentation and formol-ether concentration. The positivity in majority of them was single infection whereas 3 cases were double infection that constituted 1% of the prevalence. The prevalence was 14.4% for Entamoeba histolytica/dispor and 5.9% for Giardia lamblia while it was 4.8% for Hymenolepis nana. Other intestinal parasites including Ascaris lumbricoides, Anchylostoma duodinale were also detected. Additionally, the blood parasite Schistosoma mansoni was also detected in 2 cases. The double infection was only with E. histolytica/dispor and Giardia. The infection with these parasites were also accompanied by abdominal troubles diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting. These results lead to understand that sanitary measurements are not effective and these hazardous situation facilitate parasitic agent s distribution among clients. The effectiveness of current pre-employment screening policy must be annual and systematic surveillance is needed in addition to health education.