Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Brief Note on Intestinal Parasites in Cancer Patients

Jeremy Walton^* Department of Medicine, University Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
^*Correspondence: Dr. Jeremy Walton, Department of Medicine, University Paris-Sud, Orsay, France, Email:

Received: 03-Dec-2021 Published: 24-Dec-2021

Description

When intestinal parasite infections in immunocompromised patients are not recognized and treated early which can lead to catastrophic problems. The goal of this study was to find out how common intestinal parasites are in cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Ritchie and Faust techniques were used to process three faecal samples collected from each patient (73 individuals) which were then subjected to specialised staining methods for intestinal protozoa. A parasite and commensal positive rate of 61.6 percent was discovered. Ascaris lumbricoides (33.3 percent), Taenia spp. (6.6 percent), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.4 percent) and Trichuris trichiura were the helminths found (2.2 percent). Giardia lamblia (26.6 percent), Cryptosporidium spp. (13.3 percent), and Cystoisospora belli (4.4 percent) were discovered among the protozoans. Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba hartmanni were also identified. The studies indicate the necessity of faecal parasitological diagnosis and the application of specific staining procedures in cancer patients to detect intestinal parasites. Due to the high prevalence of these disorders reported in this study and the potential severity of these conditions for these patients, the tests should be performed on a frequent basis at the patient's first clinic appointment.

In 16.5 percent of the cases, parasitic infection was diagnosed. The majority of patients with intestinal parasitosis was on anticancer treatment and had malignancy of the haemopoietic system. Entamoeba histolytica or Entamoeba dispar (8.5 percent) and Giardia lamblia were the most common parasites (3.1 percent). Having raw meat from an infected animal such as a cow, pig and fish is one way to develop intestinal worms. Consumption of polluted water is another possible cause of intestinal worm infection consuming dirt that has been polluted. Such agents are recognised as major gastrointestinal infections in immunocompromised persons and they can cause lethal consequences. Cryptosporidium spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis are two intestinal parasites that stand out for their opportunistic nature. In patients with immunological deficiencies and these parasites can cause major consequences. Cancer patients in turn become immunocompromised as a result of the disease or as a result of immunosuppressive treatment medications or procedures. As a result, determining the prevalence and risk factors related with parasite infections in this population is critical.

Intestinal parasites have been examined in many types of immunocompromised people. Such study limitations are damaging because this type of research could lead to the adoption of specific preventive measures for these patients as well as innovative treatments for oncologists. In this investigation, dogs and/or cats were found to be risk factors for parasite infection. Patients with severe immunodeficiency and malnourished youngsters may be affected by opportunistic parasitic diseases such as those caused by Cryptosporidium spp. However research indicating giardiasis as a zoonosis, scientific recognition of zoonotic transmission potential has been inhibited by the genotype and subtype level division. Further research into the molecular characterization of G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. is required if the function of dogs and cats as potential zoonotic parasite sources cannot be ruled out and antiparasitic treatment of these pets should be conducted on a regular basis.

According to the high prevalence of enteroparasitosis among cancer patients which is likely due to their immunocompromised state, these individuals are at higher risk of infection by several parasitic species. Based on the findings of this study, faecal parasite examination and the use of specific methods for intestinal protozoa diagnosis before and during cancer treatment as well as specific treatments of positive patients for some parasitic infections are recommended to prevent more severe conditions that could result in potential complications for these patients.