A Case of Nasopharyngeal Myiasis Caused by Sarcophaga sp

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of tissues and body cavities of vertebrates by Diptera larvae. Nasal myiasis is mostly caused by the Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae families. Many predisposing factors play a role in the appearance of nasal myiasis. In the treatment of the disease, the use of antiseptics together with mechanical cleaning is recommended. In this report, a case of nasopharyngeal myiasis in a 75-year-old patient hospitalized in the intensive care unit is presented. Nine larvae were detected in the patient's nose. Larvae were removed from the area and were cleaned with iodine solution for three days. As a result of macroscopic and microscopic examination, the larvae were identified as the third stage of Sarcophaga sp. in order to prevent myiasis infestations, personnel working in places where the patient is unconscious, such as intensive care units, should daily check the patient's body cavities such as nose, mouth and ear cavities, and perform their care and cleaning.

The Importance of Antioxidant Enzymes and Oxidative Stress in Human Fascioliasis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the patients infected with Fasciola hepatica and establish whether these parameters differ among the patients with fascioliasis. Methods: The patient group consisted of 140 individuals with F. hepatica seropositive; the control group consisted of 140 healthy individuals who tested negative for this parasite and had no other diseases. The patient group consisted of individuals with no chronic diseases other than fascioliasis; in both the patient and the control groups, the subjects had no unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, etc. The blood samples taken to diagnose fascioliasis were evaluated by the ELISA method. The samples were studied according to the kit procedures for SOD, CAT, GPx and MDA markers. Results: In this study, 43.6% of 140 individuals in the patient group infected with F. hepatica had CAT (p=0.001), 35% had GPx (p=0.001), 12.9% had SOD (p=0.002), 90.7% had MDA (p=0.001). There was found a statistically significant difference between the patient and the control group in terms of the positivity of these four parameters. Conclusion: As a result, a statistically significant relationship was found between the increase in the SOD, GPx, CAT, and MDA levels and fascioliasis. The high rate of MDA revealed that oxidative stress occurred in patients with fascioliasis, resulting in an increased activity of SOD, GPx, and CAT. Amaç: Bu çalismanin amaci, Fasciola hepatica ile enfekte hastalarda süperoksit dismutaz (SOD), glutatyon peroksidaz (GPx), katalaz (CAT) ve malondialdehit (MDA) düzeylerini belirlemek ve fascioliasisli hastalarda bu parametrelerde farklilik meydana gelip gelmedigini ortaya koymaktir. Yöntemler: Hasta grubu, F. hepatica pozitif olan 140 hastadan; kontrol grubu ise bu parazit yönünden negatif bulunan ve baska herhangi bir hastaligi bulunmayan 140 saglikli kisiden olusturuldu. Hasta grubuna fascioliasis disinda herhangi bir kronik hastaligi olmayan ve hem hasta hem de kontrol grubuna sigara, alkol kullanimi olmayan kisiler dahil edildi. Hastalarda fascioliasis pozitifligini belirlemek için alinan kan örnekleri ELISA yöntemi ile çalisildi. Serum SOD, CAT, GPx ve MDA düzeyleri ELISA yöntemi ile degerlendirildi. Bulgular: Bu çalismada F. hepatica ile enfekte hasta grubundaki 140 kisinin %43,6'sinda CAT (p=0,001), %35'inde GPx (p=0,001), %12,9'unda SOD (p=0,002) ve %90,7 MDA pozitifligi saptandi. Bu dört parametrenin pozitifligi açisindan hasta ve kontrol grubu arasinda istatistiksel olarak anlamli fark bulundu (p=0,001). Sonuç: Sonuç olarak SOD, GPx, CAT ve MDA düzeyindeki artis ile fascioliasis arasinda istatistik olarak anlamli bir iliski saptanmistir. Çalismamizda MDA'nin yüksek oranda saptanmis olmasi fascioliasisli hastalarda oksidatif stres olustugunu ve SOD, GPx ve CAT aktivitelerinde artis oldugunu ortaya koymustur.

Investigation of Intestinal and Blood Parasites in People Returning to Turkey with a History of Traveling Abroad During the Pandemic

Objective: To investigate intestinal and blood parasites in people who have a history of traveling abroad during the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic and returning to Turkey. Methods: In this study, 104 patients with gastrointestinal system and/or fever complaints who had traveled abroad during the pandemic period and returned to Turkey were included. Parasitic agents were investigated by taking blood and stool samples from the patients. Additionally, urine samples were obtained from patients with hematuria or dysuria with the suspicion of schistosomiasis. A direct microscopic examination, the Crypto-Giardia immunochromatographic test, and ELISA methods were used in the examination of the stool samples. In order to detect Plasmodium species, blood samples were examined by preparing both the rapid diagnostic test and thick drop and thin smear preparations. Results: One or more parasite species were detected in 38 (38.5%) of 104 patients included in the study. While intestinal parasites were detected in 16 (32%) of 50 patients who traveled to Iran and 16 (33.3%) of 48 patients who traveled to Northern Iraq, blood parasites were not found. Schistosoma mansoni was detected in all 5 of the patients with a history of traveling to Sudan. Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 1 patient who traveled to the African continent. Conclusion: It is vital to take precautions to prevent parasitic diseases, such as malaria and schistosomiasis, during travels to African countries. During travels to neighboring countries of Turkey, such as Northern Iraq and Iran, hygiene should be paid attention to, so as to prevent contracting intestinal parasitic diseases. In addition, it was concluded that people who plan to travel abroad should have information about the endemic parasitic diseases of the country that they are going to.

Retrospective Analysis of the Distribution of Intestinal Parasites in Patients Admitted to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Between the Years 2011-2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate retrospectively the distribution of intestinal parasites detected in patients who applied to Dicle University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory between 2011-2020. Methods: Stool samples sent to the parasitology laboratory for parasite examination were examined by the native-Lugol method and the samples sent with cellophane tape were examined microscopically for parasite examination. In addition, modified acidfast and trichrome staining methods were used to identify protozoan. Results: Parasites were detected in 5.99% of 60.501 stool samples sent to the parasitology laboratory. Blastocystis spp. (57.62%) was detected with the highest rate among positive samples, followed by 31.93% Giardia intestinalis, 3.75% Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 2.37% Hymenolepis nana, 1.57% Fasciola spp., 0.91% Taenia saginata, 0.72% Enterobius vermicularis, 0.52% Cryptosporidium spp., 0.42% Cyclospora cayetanensis, 0.19 Ascaris lumbricoides were detected. Conclusion: Although the incidence of intestinal parasite infections in our study decreased over a ten-year period, it continues to maintain its importance. Therefore, to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites; It is important to safeguarding clean water resources, solve infrastructure problems, and inform the public about sanitation rules.

A Comprehensive Retrospective Study: Intestinal Parasites in Human in Van Province

Objective: The aim of present study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients, who were referred to Parasitology Laboratory in Van Yüzüncü Yil University, Faculty of Medicine during an 11-year period. Methods: Stool samples of 69633 individuals admitted to the outpatient clinics in the hospital were initially evaluated with native-Lugol, and then by flotation, sedimentation, trichrome staining, modified acid-fast staining and ELISA methods. Results: Twenty-four parasite species were identified in parasite-positive patients. At least one or more parasite species were found in 34.1% of all patients. The most commonly observed parasite was Blastocystis hominis (26.5%). Among pathogen parasites, Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) was detected in 9.3%, Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) was detected in 2.5%, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar in 0.8%, Cystoisospora belli in 0.004%, Fasciola hepatica in 0.04%, Dicrocoelium dendriticum in 0.001%, Strongyloides stercoralis in 0.001% and hookworm in 0.001% of the patients. Conclusion: It was determined that, pathogen parasites such as G. intestinalis and A. lumbricoides were still observed at high rates in Van province, especially in children, and the problem of parasitosis is still continuing, although the prevalence of parasites has declined when compared to the previous years.

Determination the Subtypes of Blastocystis sp. and Evaluate the Effect of These Subtypes on Pathogenicity.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine the frequency of subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in the immunosuppressed individuals, in patients with chronic urticaria, and in patients with GIS complaints to investigate the difference of Blastocystis sp. subtype distribution between patient and control groups. METHODS: A total of 345 stool samples were collected from the patients and samples were studied by native-Lugol, trichrome staining, and Jones medium culture method. Positively detected samples were subjected to PCR to determine the subtypes. RESULTS: This is the first study of nine subtypes of Blastocystis sp. investigated in our country and the most frequently found subtype was ST3, and then, the other subtypes were ST1, ST2, ST5, and ST6, respectively. Mix subtype was detected in the 11.6% and no subtype was detected in the 17.4% of the samples. The ST5 was detected first time in the control group and ST6, which is reported limitedly in our country, was found in patients with GIS complaints. ST1 and ST2 were found higher in the patient group. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that the subtype (ST) differences are an important factor affecting the pathogenesis of Blastocystis sp.

Cystoisospora sp. Infection Determined in Immunosuppressed and Immunocompetent Children: Three Cases Report.

The aim of this study was to present three cystoisosporiasis cases diagnosed in pediatric patients of the Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty. In the study, stool samples of the patients were evaluated by native-Lugol and modified acid-fast staining methods in the Parasitology Laboratory. The first case was a 4-year-old male child diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was reported that the patient had abdominal pain, and permanent bloody and mucous diarrhea (8-10 times a day) was present for almost 1 week after the beginning of ALL treatment. The second case was a 10-year-old boy diagnosed with depression. The patient was brought to our hospital by his parents with complaints of abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue persisting since 1 month in addition to headache, fear, sleeplessness, and waking up with cry. The third case was a 13-year-old boy who complained of abdominal pain, diarrhea (rare occasions), lack of appetite, and headache for 2 months. These patients had not traveled abroad. The cases were treated successfully with co-trimoxazole. Our results suggest that all patient groups with diarrhea and abdominal pain should also be considered in cystoisosporiasis.

Seroprevalence of human fascioliasis in Van province, Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fasciola hepatica is a rare zoonotic parasite that infects the liver of many mammals including humans. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of fascioliasis in Van province by ELISA (antibody detection) on the assumption that not all cases could be detected by stool examination alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of randomly selected 1,600 patients, directed from affiliated outpatient clinics to Yüzüncü Yil University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory, were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 44.44±19.00 years. Blood samples were collected from all the patients, and their stool samples were examined. For the stool examination, native-lugol and sedimentation (in formalin-ethyl acetate) methods were employed. ELISA for F. hepatica was performed on the blood samples from all patients. Seropositive patients were treated with triclabendazole. RESULTS: F. hepatica was detected by ELISA in 89 (5.6%) of the 1,600 patients, but eggs were identified on the stool examination in only 29 (1.8%) patients. The prevalence of F. hepatica was higher in females (7.2%) than in males (4.2%) and was higher in the ≥36-year age group (6.7%) than in the ≤35-year age group (4.4%). Abdominal pain (93.3%), fatigue (88.8%), and weight loss (69.7%) were the most common symptoms. Eosinophilia was present in 89.9% of the patients. All seropositive patients had a history of eating raw aquatic plants. CONCLUSION: Stool examination alone is not sufficient to diagnose F. hepatica. Serological tests such as ELISA must be used together with stool examination.

Sonographic findings of hepatobiliary fascioliasis accompanied by extrahepatic expansion and ectopic lesions.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe the sonographic findings of hepatobiliary fascioliasis with extrahepatic expansion and ectopic lesions. METHODS: The study included 45 patients with fascioliasis. All diagnoses were confirmed via serologic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sonographic findings in the hepatobiliary system, extrahepatic expansion, and ectopic lesions were defined. RESULTS: The most common hepatic lesions were subcapsular localized, small, confluent, multiple hypoechoic nodules with poorly defined borders. We also detected ectopic lesion in 5 patients (11.1%) and live parasites in the gallbladder and bile duct in 11 (24.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The large spectrum of entities in the differential diagnosis of hepatobiliary fascioliasis may lead to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. However, the diagnosis can be made when the characteristic sonographic features are seen, such as heterogeneity of the liver with multiple poorly defined hypoechoic-isoechoic lesions and multiple echogenic nonshadowing particles in the gallbladder or common bile ducts. Nonetheless, the differential diagnosis of fascioliasis versus other hepatic lesions may still be difficult. In these situations, pathologic confirmation should be performed to exclude the possibility of malignancy.

[Unilocular cyst hydatid cases diagnosed between 1998-2005 in the Parasitology Laboratory of Yüzüncü Yil University Research and Training Hospital]. / Yüzüncü Yil Üniversitesi Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Parazitoloji Laboratuarinda 1998-2005 yillari arasinda saptanan uniloküler kist hidatik olgulari.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to contribute to the information of the spread of disease in our country by determining the distribution of cystic echinococcosis (CE) on people in our region and to demonstrate the importance of it for our region. METHODS: In this study, the blood serum samples of a total of 558 patients, which were sent to the Parasitology Laboratory from several outpatient clinics of the Yüzüncü Yil University Research and Training Hospital between 01.09.1998-01.09.2005, were evaluated in terms of CE by using Indirect Hemaglutination Test (IHA) or ELISA methods. RESULTS: 25.6% of a total of 558 cystic echinococcosis suspected patients were found to be seropositive by IHA or ELISA methods and it was confirmed that the cysts obtained as a result of the positive patients' surgery were unilocular cysts. In our study, seropositivity was found in 25.7% of 303 female patients, 25.5% of 255 male patients; 33.3% of 48 pediatric 8-15 age group patients and 24.9% of 510 adult patients over the age of 15 years. CONCLUSION: Cystic echinococcosis continues to be a major public health problem in the Van province. Large-scale prevention and control programs should be implemented against this disease.

[Urogenital myiasis caused by Psychoda albipennis]. / Psychoda albipennis'in Sebep Oldugu Bir Ürogenital Myiasis.

Myiasis cases are often encountered in humans, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Urogenital myiasis is one of the facultative myiasis cases that may be seen in humans. Psychoda albipennis is an insect species that causes urogential myiasis in humans Adults of this species, belongs to the Psychodidae subfamily, lives especially in humid toilets and domestic bathrooms. This case, presented as urogenital myiasis caused by P. albipennis in a fifteen year old male. The person, who was a student, was living in the city center reported to have passed five-six larvae for three months. The patient had normal urinalysis, stool microscopy and urine culture. Larvae were examined under a microscope and were identified as fourth period larvae of P. albipennis. Therefore, it should not be forgotten that P. albipennis may be an agent in urogenital myiasis.

Radiological Imaging Features of Fasciola hepatica Infection - A Pictorial Review.

Fascioliasis refers to a zoonosis caused by Fasciola hepatica, a trematode infecting herbivores, but also occurs in humans who ingest the metacercaria found in fresh water plants. Infection in humans is common in developing countries and is also not uncommon in Europe. Diagnosis of this infection is difficult, as the history and symptoms are nonspecific and stool analysis for eggs is negative until the disease is in an advanced state by when the parasite has reached the biliary system. The clinical course consists of two phases; first a hepatic parenchymal phase in which immature larvae invade the liver parenchyma, followed by a ductal phase characterized by the excretion of larvae into the bile ducts. Parenchymal Phase: Ultrasonography (US) findings are nonspecific in this early phase. Computerized tomography (CT) may demonstrate subcapsular low attenuation regions in the liver. Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) can also be utilized to establish liver parenchymal involvement, and is better than CT in characterizing hemorrhagic lesions, as well as identifying more lesions relative to CT. Ductal Phase: US examination is most useful at this stage, with its ability to demonstrate the live movement of the worms within the dilated ducts. A CT demonstrates dilated central biliary ducts with periportal tracking, whereas, mild ductal dilatation is poorly appreciated under MRI. Therefore, familiarity with the multimodality imaging features of fascioliasis, in combination with an available confirmatory enzyme-linked immunoassay, would be most helpful for early diagnosis.

[Two diarrhea cases caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis]. / Cyclospora cayetanensis'in neden oldugu iki diyare olgusu.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is an intestinal protozoon that has emerged as an important cause of endemic or epidemic diarrheal disease in children and adults worldwide. Cases of cyclosporiasis have been frequently missed, since it is difficult to detect the parasite in fecal sample, despite an increasing amount of data regarding this parasite. In this case report two patients admitted to hospital with complaints of diarrhea and abdominal pain, were presented. Blood and urine biochemistry of both of the patients were within the normal limits and no pathogenic bacteria were grown in their stool samples. Occult blood in stool were negative in both cases. Both of the cases had normal serum immunoglobulin levels and had negative viral hepatitis, HIV and autoimmune markers. Direct microscopic examination and modified acid-fast staining of the stool samples revealed C.cayetanensis oocysts. Clinical response and eradication of the parasite were achieved with two weeks trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (2 x 160/240 mg) therapy. Since both cases applied in July 2009, an epidemiological investigation was initiated, however, no relation was determined. Although Cyclospora infections are assumed to be endemic in our country, the sporadic case reports might be attributed to the lack of relevant information about the parasite by the clinicians, lack of appropriate laboratory diagnosis and specialized personel for parasitic examination. Thus, screening studies performed with appropriate diagnostic methods for Cyclospora, might provide more informative epidemiological data related to this infection in Turkey.

A nasopharyngeal human infestation caused by Linguatula serrata nymphs in Van province: a case report.

The reason for the presentation of this case is that Linguatula serrata, a parasite rarely encountered in humans, was found in a patient in Van province. The patient, who was 26 years old, lived in Ercis a town in Van province, East Turkey. She was admitted to the Outpatient Clinic of Infectious Diseases of Ercis Government Hospital with a complaint of coughing a few worms about 4 cm long from the oral cavity, and also sore throat, partial voice loss and vomiting. The polyclinic doctor suspected that the worm was a parasite but he could not make a diagnosis, and the patient was referred to Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. The parasite was examined in the Parasitology Laboratory and it was observed that this parasite was the nymph of L. serrata whose mouth was surrounded with four hooks and had approximately 90 body segments with small hooks. No medical treatment was given to the patient except that gargling with saline solution was recommended. As a result, we think that physicians should consider L. serrata infestation in patients applying to health foundations with complaints such as pharyngitis accompanied by pharyngeal pain, coughing, sneezing and vomiting.

[Investigation of intestinal parasites in students of Mustafa Cengiz primary school in Van]. / Van mustafa cengiz ilkögretim okulu ögrencilerinde bagirsak parazitlerinin arastirilmasi

Intestinal parasites still maintain as a major public health problem in our country. In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of intestinal parasites in 1st and 2nd grade students of Mustafa Cengiz Primary School, aged between 7-9 and to contribute to the parasitological data of our province. For this purpose, stool examinations of a total of 195 students, including 82 boys and 113 girls, were performed. The results of the microscopic analysis of stool samples revealed one or more parasites in a total of 117 (60%) samples including 45 male students (54.8%) and 72 female students (63.7%). The diagnosed parasites and their ratios in children were; Giardia intestinalis 36.4%, Entamoeba coli 17.9%, Blastocystis hominis 14.4%, Hymenolepis nana 10.8%, Chilomastix mesnili 3.6%, Ascaris lumbricoides 2.6%, Entamoeba hartmanni 1.5%, Trichuris trichiura 1%, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.5%, Retortamonas intestinalis 0.5% ve Endolimax nana 0.5%, respectively. From 117 positive samples for parasites, only one parasite was found in 71 (60.7%), and more than one parasites were found in 46 (39.3%). As a result, parasitic infectious diseases still maintain its importance in our region. We conclude that incidence of parasitic infectious diseases will be reduced with education about personal hygiene and improvement of physical conditions.

Human infection with Dicrocoelium dendriticum in Turkey.

Human dicrocoeliosis is reported sporadically in various parts of the world. We report a case in a 21-year-old male, who had right upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic relapsing watery diarrhea three to four times daily for four weeks. The patient had abdominal tenderness to palpation in the right upper quadrant. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum immunoglobulin E levels were slightly elevated; all other biochemical and hematological findings were in their normal ranges. The duodenal biopsy samples were normal and an abdominal ultrasonography showed no biliary or hepatic abnormality. Stool microscopy revealed numerous eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. As pseudoparasitosis can result from eating raw, infected animal liver, the patient was given a liver-free diet for three days, to rule out that possibility. Subsequent stool examinations showed eggs in each of the samples indicating that the infection was genuine. The patient was treated with triclabendazole 10 mg/kg in a single dose. Four weeks later, no parasite eggs were detected in the microscopic examination of the stool samples. The patient got better gradually and the symptoms disappeared. Physicians should keep in mind parasitic diseases such as the rarely encountered dicrocoeliosis.

[Investigation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in aviary birds in homes in the Van province]. / Van yöresinde evde beslenen kafes kuslarinda bagirsak parazitlerinin yayginliginin arastirilmasi.

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in aviary birds in the Van province. For this purpose, fecal samples were collected from aviary birds (6 parrots, 5 nightingales, 24 canaries and 35 lovebirds) in Van. In the parasitology laboratory, seventy fecal samples were examined using the native and sedimentation technique for helminth eggs, Eimeria sp. oocysts and Giardia sp. cysts. The same samples were examined by modified-acid-fast staining for Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be 8.57% (6/70) in Van. Eimeria sp. oocysts were detected in lovebird (8.57%) and canaries (8.33%). Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were detected only in parrots (16.67%). Helminth eggs and Giardia sp. cysts were not found in aviary birds. However no parasites were detected in nightingales.

[Case report: two Plasmodium vivax malaria cases in the Van Province]. / Olgu Sunumu: Van Ilindeki Plasmodium vivax Sitmasi.

Malaria is an important parasitic infection which is endemic in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions and sporadic in other regions of Turkey, while Plasmodium vivax is the most common cause. Two patients who were admitted to our hospital in October with complaints of high fever, chills, nausea-vomiting, generalized body pain and fatigue and diagnosed as P. Vivax malaria are presented, because they were two brothers with no history of travel outside of Van city.

[Case report: hookworm infection in a patient with severe anemia]. / Olgu Sunumu: Agir Anemi Tablosu Olan Bir Hastada Cengelli Solucan Infeksiyonu.

In this study, a patient who was hospitalized with a severe anemia in the Internal Medicine Clinic of the Health Research and Application Hospital of Yüzüncü Yil University for one week is presented. The patient had fatigue, paleness and dizziness for one month and approximately 12 kg weight lost for four mounts previous to admission.. Severe iron deficiency anemia was diagnosed in the patient by laboratory analyses. Because there were no hematologic factors associated with severe anemia, the stool examination was also performed. In the Parasitology Laboratory, stool microscopy of the patient revealed numerous ova of hookworm. General condition of the patient well improved with anti-parasitic and anti-anemia treatment. It was concluded that patients with iron deficiency anemia diagnosed in health centers should be also examined for the intestinal parasitic diseases encountered rarely, and physicians should consider non-endemic parasitic diseases in their provinces.

[Intestinal parasitoses detected in primary schoolchildren in the Van province]. / Van'da ilkögretim okulu ogrencilerinde saptanan bagirsak parazitozlari.

This study was carried out on school children in primary schools in the Van province in order to investigate the distribution of intestinal parasitoses. The study was conducted in 7-15 year-old primary schoolchildren during the years from 2003-2005. Stool specimens were taken from 2975 school children; of these, 1289 were female and 1686, male. The specimens were examined by native-Lugol, flotation and trichrome staining methods in the parasitology laboratory of the Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. One or more parasite species were detected in 1916 (64.4%) stool specimens of 2975 children. Parasitosis was detected in 65.7% of females and in 63.4% of males. Blastocystis hominis, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba butschlii, Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Enteromonas hominis, Retortamonas intestinalis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Trichomonas hominis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis and Fasciola hepatica were detected in 27.4%, 16.4%, 14.9%, 3.9%, 2.9%, 1.8%, 1.1%, 0.6%, 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.4%, 0.2%, 7.5%, 5.3%, 0.7%, 0.6% and 0.03% of the specimens, respectively. In conclusion, there are still high rates of intestinal parasitoses in school children in this region because care is not taken in hygiene and the socioeconomic status is low in the Van province.