Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms, Environmental Microbiology and Toxicology Unit, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
The objective of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in a population of children (3 to 14 years) in the Mrabtine region province of Marrakech, Morocco. Fecal samples were collected from 90 students (41 boys (45.6%) and 49 girls (54.4%)) and examined for intestinal parasites by three coproscopic techniques: direct examination and concentration technique Kato-Katz. It emerges that the overall prevalence was 27.8% (12.2% for boys and 15.6% for girls). The distribution of intestinal parasites detected in stool samples was as follows: 14 (15.6 %) Giardia intestinalis, 4 (4.4 %) Ascaris lumbricoides, 3 (3.3 %) Blastocystis spp, 2 (2.2 %) for Enterobius vermicularis and Endolimax nana and finally, 1(1.1 %) for Pentatrichomonas hominis, Hymenolepis nana and Iodamoeba butschlii . The prevalence of intestinal parasites in this region was higher compared to other regions of Morocco. In this regard, the preliminary findings of this study can be used as a basis for developing strategies and preventive measures focusing on fecal hygiene.