[Frequency of amebiasis and other intestinal protozoal diseases. An epidemiological study with the aid of MIF technic]

Abstract

Advantages and disadvantages of various laboratory techniques used for the diagnosis of intestinal protozoa are discussed. The importance of a correct parasitological diagnosis is emphasized. The MIF procedure has been investigated with regard to its reliability and found to be very effective due to its high diagnostic yield and reproducibility in repeated examinations. The incidence rates found in our material agreed well with those in the literature, thus enhancing the value of the MIF procedure. The feces of 1005 persons returning from the tropics during the first 8 months of 1975 have been examined by the MIF technique and assessed for intestinal protozoa. Apathogenic amebae were found four times as often as E. histolytica. The incidence was 52.7/1000 for E. histolytica and 70.6/1000 for Giardia lamblia. Multiple parasitosis is often diagnosed. E. histolytica is very likely to be encountered when two or three apathogenic amebae are present.