PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS OF SARI, NORTHERN IRAN

摘要: Parasitic infection is highly prevalent throughout the developing countries of world. Food handlers are a potential source for many intestinal parasites and other enteropathogenic infections as well. The aim this study was to determine prevalence parasite carriers among food attending public health center laboratory in Sari, Northern Iran annual check-up. performed from August 2011 through February 2012. Stool samples were collected 1041 male female different jobs aged between 18 63 years examined following standard procedures. Sociodemographic, environmental behavioral data analysis recorded separate questionnaire. Intestinal found 161 (15.5%) studied samples. Seven species protozoan or helminth detected. Most participants infected with Giardia lamblia (53.9%) followed by Blastocystis hominis (18%), Entamoeba coli (15.5%), histolytica/dispar (5.5%), Cryptosporidium sp. (3.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii (3.1%) Hymenolepis nana (1.9%) only infection. findings emphasized that pathogenic organisms may predispose consumers significant risks. Routine screening treatment proper tool preventing food-borne infections.