OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among mentally retarded residents of rehabilitation center of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, southern Iran.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was carried out in central rehabilitation institute of Hormozgan province in summer 2010. Fecal samples of all 133 residents (72 males, 61 females) aged 3-52, were collected in triplicate. Specimens were examined by direct smear, formalin-ether concentration techniques and stained by permanent Trichrome, Ziehl-Neelsen stains. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 13.5.

RESULTSIntestinal parasitic infections were seen in 48.5% (64 out of 133 subjects: 53.4% in males and 46.6% in females). Strongyloides stercoralis with 17.3% showed the highest incidence followed by Entamoeba coli (9.8%), Blastocystis hominis (7.5%), Giardia lamblia (2.3%), Endolimax nana (2.3%), Hymenolepis nana (0.8%), Oxyuris vermicularis (0.8%), and Chilomasix mesnili (0.8%). Double infections were found to be as: Strongyloides stercoralis + Giardia lamblia (2.3%), Entamoeba coli + Giardia lamblia (1.5%), Entamoeba coli + Blastocystis hominis (1.5%), Oxyuris vermicularis + Entamoeba coli (0.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis + Entamoeba coli (0.8%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings reveal that strongyloidiasis is a common disease among mentally retarded population in southern Iran.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Feces ; parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Institutionalization ; Intermediate Care Facilities ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mentally Disabled Persons ; Middle Aged ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; isolation & purification ; Strongyloidiasis ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; Young Adult